shovel

1 of 2

noun

shov·​el ˈshə-vəl 

1

a

: a hand implement consisting of a broad scoop or a more or less hollowed out blade with a handle used to lift and throw material

b

: something that resembles a shovel

c

: an excavating machine

especially : a hydraulic diesel-engine driven power shovel

2

: shovelful

shovel

2 of 2

verb

shoveled or shovelled; shoveling or shovelling ˈshə-və-liŋ 

ˈshəv-liŋ

transitive verb

1

: to take up and throw with a shovel

2

: to dig or clean out with a shovel

3

: to throw or convey roughly or in a mass as if with a shovel

shoveled his food into his mouth

intransitive verb

: to use a shovel

Synonyms

Verb

• dig
• excavate

Examples of shovel in a Sentence

Verb

He is outside shoveling snow.

I have to shovel the driveway.

I had to shovel for an hour to clear the driveway.

The snow was so deep we had to shovel a path to our front door.

Stop shoveling food into your mouth.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Several other people in the park also reportedly tried to stop the attack with shovels and a golf club found at the scene, per multiple outlets. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024

However, the city council’s OK doesn’t mean that there will be shovels in the ground just yet. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Verb

Dogster suggests shoveling out an area until there is grass to create a potty area, which will encourage dogs to do their business faster and spend less time outside. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Once the flooding went down, residents and volunteers took to the town to shovel out thick mud from buildings and search for art and belongings before clearing debris. —Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English scofl; akin to Old High German scūfla shovel, Old English scūfan to thrust away

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 1

Phrases Containing shovel

• pick-and-shovel
• power shovel
• shovel hat
• shovel-nosed
• shovel pass
• shovel-ready
• steam shovel

Kids Definition

shovel

1 of 2 noun

shov·​el ˈshəv-əl 

1

: a broad scoop with a handle used for lifting and throwing loose material (as dirt or snow)

2

: shovelful

shovel

2 of 2 verb

shoveled or shovelled; shoveling or shovelling

ˈshəv-(ə-)liŋ

1

: to lift and throw with a shovel

shovel snow

2

: to dig or clean out with a shovel

shovel out the sheep pens

3

: to throw or carry roughly or in a mass as if with a shovel

stop shoveling the food into your mouth