shovelful

noun

shov·​el·​ful ˈshə-vəl-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce shovelful (audio)
plural shovelfuls ˈshə-vəl-ˌfu̇lz How to pronounce shovelful (audio) also shovelsful ˈshə-vəlz-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce shovelful (audio)
: as much as a shovel will hold

Examples of shovelful in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mourning family members, many who had traveled from Korea, began to throw shovelfuls of dirt onto the woman's casket during burial. Christina Coulter, Fox News, 29 Sep. 2024 Crews scraped the first shovelful of dirt from the top of the earthen dam on May 1, beginning the clearing of another obstacle for people and salmon who rely on the Klamath. Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 12 May 2024 Then came the crest and colors, the first shovelfuls for a $150 million training facility and the signing of local teenage goalkeeper Duran Ferree. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2024 Karuk elder Leaf Hillman and his wife, Lisa, were on hand this month to see the first shovelful of dirt scraped from the top of the earthen dam. Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 12 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for shovelful 

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shovelful was in 1533

Dictionary Entries Near shovelful

Cite this Entry

“Shovelful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shovelful. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

shovelful

noun
shov·​el·​ful ˈshəv-əl-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce shovelful (audio)
plural shovelfuls -ˌfu̇lz How to pronounce shovelful (audio) also shovelsful -əlz-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce shovelful (audio)
: as much as a shovel will hold
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!