plow

1 of 2

noun

ˈplau̇ 

1

: an implement used to cut, lift, and turn over soil especially in preparing a seedbed

2

: any of various devices (such as a snowplow) operating like a plow

plow

2 of 2

verb

plowed; plowing; plows

transitive verb

1

a

: to turn, break up, or work with a plow

b

: to make (something, such as a furrow) with a plow

2

: to cut into, open, or make furrows or ridges in with or as if with a plow

3

: to cleave the surface of or move through (water)

whales plowing the ocean

4

: to clear away snow from with a snowplow

plow the street

5

: to spend or invest (money) in substantial amounts

—used with into

plow money into stocks

intransitive verb

1

a

: to use a plow

b

: to undergo plowing

2

a

: to move forcefully into or through something

the car plowed into a fence

b

: to proceed steadily and laboriously

had to plow through a stack of letters

plowable

ˈplau̇-ə-bəl 

adjective

plower

ˈplau̇(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

Verb

• break
• furrow

Examples of plow in a Sentence

Verb

The soil was freshly plowed.

They used oxen to plow the field.

My street hasn't been plowed yet.

We hired someone to plow the snow from our driveway.

The town won't start plowing until the storm is almost over.

a ship plowing the ocean

They continued to plow their way through the tall grass.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And was that snow plow in New England only for the home team? —Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

Loughran described over-cab lights, regular headlights as well as plow lights that jutted out over the fenders of the vehicle. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 4 June 2025

Verb

The sardine run in South Africa is perhaps the most cinematic — dolphins herding fish, sharks plowing through bait balls, birds raining from the sky. —Rona Berg, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

Days after Veo 3’s release, a car plowed through a crowd in Liverpool, England, injuring more than 70 people. —Andrew R. Chow, Time, 3 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English plōh hide of land; akin to Old High German pfluog plow

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing plow

• plow ahead
• plow back
• plow into
• plow on
• plow under
• under the plow

Rhymes for plow

• bough
• brow
• chow
• ciao
• clow
• cow
• dao
• dow
• frau
• hao
• hau
• how

Kids Definition

plow

1 of 2 noun

ˈplau̇ 

1

: a farm machine used to cut, lift, and turn over soil

2

: a device (as a snowplow) used to spread or clear away matter on the ground

plow

2 of 2 verb

1

: to open, break up, or work with a plow

plow a furrow

2

: to move forcefully into or through

a ship plowing the waves

3

: to go steadily and with great effort

plow through a report

4

: to clear away snow from with a plow

plow the road