plow

1 of 2

noun

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 adjective
plower noun

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
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.
Noun
While snow plow drivers were working around the clock, those who needed to drive should plan for extended travel times. Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 8 Feb. 2024 Similarly, when the snow starts to fall, salt, gravel, and other debris can get onto the windows due to passing cars and snow plows. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2024
Verb
But the worst of the cuts have not yet taken effect, because the city intends to plow through reserves and unused funds in the meantime. Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2024 Behind me, a group of Italians plowed through cocktails, bemoaning their country’s political situation. Monisha Rajesh, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plow 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of plow was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near plow

Cite this Entry

“Plow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plow. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

plow

1 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on plow

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