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
plowed; plowing; plows
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
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
Synonyms
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
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
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 
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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
Dictionary Entries Near plow
Cite this Entry
“Plow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plow. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plow
1 of 2 noun1
: 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 verb1
: 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
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