furrow

1 of 2

noun

fur·​row ˈfər-(ˌ)ō 

ˈfə-(ˌ)rō

1

a

: a trench in the earth made by a plow

b

: plowed land : field

2

: something that resembles the track of a plow: such as

a

: a marked narrow depression : groove

tracing a fingernail along a furrow in the corduroy of her housecoat

—Douglass Wallop

b

: a deep wrinkle

furrows in his brow

furrow

2 of 2

verb

furrowed; furrowing; furrows

transitive verb

: to make furrows, grooves, wrinkles, or lines in

intransitive verb

: to make or form furrows, grooves, wrinkles, or lines

Synonyms

Noun

• crease
• crimp
• crinkle
• wrinkle

Verb

• break
• plow

Examples of furrow in a Sentence

Noun

We plowed furrows in the field.

When he frowns a deep furrow forms in his brow.

Verb

His forehead furrows when he frowns.

we had to furrow the field before we could plant the wheat

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Hirata noticed that the central point of the furrow was along the moon’s rotational axis, which implied that something like a large impact event caused a complete reorientation of the moon. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 5 Sep. 2024

Ganymede’s face bears circular furrow marks that seem to emanate from a single point. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024

Verb

Brows furrowed and hands anchored at her hips, Team USA’s youngest breaker this year seemed more serious than some of her competitors at the Paris Olympics. —Ryan Doan-Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2024

Chuck Smith’s eyebrows furrowed behind tinted sunglasses. —Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English furgh, forow, from Old English furh; akin to Old High German furuh furrow, Latin porca

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing furrow

• plough a lone/lonely furrow
• plough one's own furrow
• plough the same furrow

Kids Definition

furrow

1 of 2 noun

fur·​row ˈfər-ō 

ˈfə-rō

1

: a trench in the earth made by or as if by a plow

2

: a narrow groove or wrinkle

furrow

2 of 2 verb

: to make furrows, grooves, wrinkles, or lines in

Medical Definition

furrow

noun

fur·​row ˈfər-(ˌ)ō, -ə(-w); ˈfə-(ˌ)rō, -rə(-w) 

1

: a marked narrow depression or groove

2

: a deep wrinkle