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⇱ PLOW Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Definition
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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 (dirt, soil, land, etc.) 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 β€”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

Synonyms of plow

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
Erin Coleman, who lives down the street, sympathized with the plow drivers while wondering when the city might address the problem. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Joe Holden, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026 Although parked legally, the cars made the route impassable for school buses, plow trucks, fire trucks or ambulances. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
The suspect plowed his truck into Temple Israel synagogue on March 12. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026 Previously, common people had shared the right to plow open fields, gather firewood, graze animals and cut peat from nearby bogs. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Will Glovinsky, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026 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

Phrases Containing plow

Rhymes for plow

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œPlow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plow. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

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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