stow

verb

ˈstō 

stowed; stowing; stows

transitive verb

1

: house, lodge

2

a

: to put away for future use : store

b

obsolete : to lock up for safekeeping : confine

3

a

: to dispose in an orderly fashion : arrange, pack

b

: load

4

slang : to put aside : stop

5

a

archaic : crowd

b

: to eat or drink up

—usually used with away

stowed away a huge dinner

Synonyms

• keep
• put up
• reposit
• store

Examples of stow in a Sentence

He stowed his gear in a locker.

Luggage may be stowed under the seat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some gifts are wrapped in bows, or stowed in gift bags, both of which cannot be recycled. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Dec. 2024

The prime underlying geology allows for CO2 to be stowed into a porous, sponge-like rock layer and confined by the less porous rock above. —Peyton Haug, Twin Cities, 13 Dec. 2024

Driver Pockets Car Phone Holder Mount This organizer caddy clips to their car’s air vent and stows their phone, sunglasses, and chargers. —Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 10 Dec. 2024

Passengers will have to raise their seatbacks and stow their tray tables sooner. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to place, from stowe place, from Old English stōw; akin to Old Frisian stō place, Greek stylos pillar — more at steer

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stow

• stow away

Kids Definition

stow

verb

ˈstō 

1

: to put away : store

stowed their belongings in the closet

2

a

: arrange sense 1, pack

quickly stowed the cargo

b

: load entry 2 sense 1a

stowed the ships to capacity

3

: to eat or drink up

stow away a meal

Geographical Definition

Stow

geographical name

ˈstō 

city in northeastern Ohio northeast of Akron population 34,837

Biographical Definition

Stow

biographical name

ˈstō 

John 1525–1605 English historian and antiquarian