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 untreated roads were baffling to drivers since Indiana Department of Transportation's East Central District snow plow operators were out earlier in the day conducting dry runs on their routes. —Noe Padilla, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Dec. 2024

Thomas said that snowfall rates may be more than plows can handle, at up to 2 inches per hour. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024

Verb

To plow through up to 32 inches of water in Extract mode by increasing ground clearance to 16 inches. —Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

In New York, crews plowed roads and shoveled nearly 2 feet of snow off the field at Highmark Stadium ahead of Sunday's matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 2 Dec. 2024

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

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