hoe

1 of 2

noun

ˈhō 

1

: any of various implements for tilling, mixing, or raking

especially : a tool with a thin flat blade on a long handle used especially for cultivating, weeding, or loosening the earth around plants

2

: backhoe

hoe

2 of 2

verb

hoed; hoeing

intransitive verb

: to work with a tool with a thin flat blade on a long handle to cultivate, weed, or loosen the earth around plants : to use or work with a hoe (see hoe entry 1) or backhoe

hoeing in the garden all day

transitive verb

1

: to weed, cultivate, or thin (a crop) with a hoe (see hoe entry 1)

hoeing carrots and turnips

2

: to remove (weeds) by hoeing

3

: to dress or cultivate (land) by hoeing

The garden needs to be hoed.

hoer

ˈhō(-ə)r 

noun

Examples of hoe in a Sentence

Verb

The garden has to be hoed.

She was hoeing in the garden all day.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Check out this versatile garden hoe, which not only weeds but also digs, cultivates, chops, and more. —Rachel Simon, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Nov. 2024

Suddenly, a hoe swings through the air, claiming the life of one of the most misunderstood creatures on the planet. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 1 Apr. 2024

Verb

The directors branch is notoriously snobby, which will be a tough row to hoe for Wicked’s Jon M. Chu, who got his start directing films in the Step Up and G.I. Joe franchises. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2024

Slowly, the trail widened with signs of civilization: hoed rows of plantings, waxy horses. —Kayla Aletha Welch, Longreads, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English howe, from Anglo-French houe, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German houwa mattock, houwan to hew — more at hew

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing hoe

• a tough/hard row to hoe
• Dutch hoe
• scuffle hoe

Kids Definition

hoe

1 of 2 noun

ˈhō 

: a farm or garden tool with a thin flat blade at nearly a right angle to a long handle that is used especially for weeding and loosening the earth

hoe

2 of 2 verb

hoed; hoeing

: to use or work with a hoe

Biographical Definition

Hoe 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈhō 

Richard March 1812–1886 son of Robert Hoe American inventor

Hoe

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Robert 1784–1833 American (English-born) printing-press manufacturer