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

The Clos du Temple vineyard consists of 11 small hillside plots that are tended only by horse and plow and human hand according to lunar and biodynamic principles. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 29 May 2025

The idea of failure creates anxiety for snow plow managers. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025

Verb

The highway where the crash happened is on a route between Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons that is open in the spring before a north-south route is plowed and the park fully opens for summer. —Michael Dorgan , Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025

Throughout the seasons, our roads are maintained by the county, from snow plowing in the winter to grading the bumps during the other three seasons. —Melinda Fouts, Forbes.com, 28 May 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