billow

1 of 2

noun

bil·​low ˈbi-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce billow (audio)
1
: wave
especially : a great wave or surge of water
the rolling billows of the sea
2
: a rolling mass (as of flame or smoke) that resembles a high wave
Billows of smoke poured out of the building.
billows of fog
billowy adjective

billow

2 of 2

verb

billowed; billowing; billows

intransitive verb

1
: to rise or roll in waves or surges
the billowing sea
2
: to bulge or swell out (as through action of the wind)
billowing clouds
… the flags … billowed out in pride …G. B. Oxnam

transitive verb

: to cause to billow
a field of burning grass billowing thick black clouds of smoke into the skyDonald Windham

Examples of billow in a Sentence

Noun Billows of smoke poured out of the burning building. the rolling billows of the sea Verb the curtains in the open windows billowed in the summer wind
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Fabric, which stretches, bends, wrinkles, and billows, often in unpredictable ways, is notoriously difficult to get right. Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024 Smoke billows over Gaza following an Israeli airstrike in October. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 7 Apr. 2024 Smoke billows over Khan Younis in southern Gaza during Israeli bombardment on Tuesday. Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2024 The next part of the footage shows the deputy several hundred feet away from the scene as smoke billows into the sky. Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Smoke billows following Israeli bombardment of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, on Monday. Raf Sanchez, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2024 Among those treated for injuries are at least six firefighters, Valencia’s Emergency Services said on social platform X. Footage from the scene shows the entire complex ablaze as flames tear through apartments and thick smoke billows overhead. Atika Shubert, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024 For moviegoers, though, that’s a long time to watch a pillar of fire billow toward the sky without matching sound. Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Her exquisite pink-ombré silk organza skirt partners with her movement and billows with tiers of flounce. Fawnia Soo Hoo, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2024
Verb
Smoke billowed from Diamond Rim on the Tonto National Forest on Monday afternoon as a helicopter bobbed along overhead, dropping tiny fireballs to stoke flames on the ground. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 25 Apr. 2024 Videos circulating on social media showed the man lying on the ground on fire as smoke billowed near the Manhattan courthouse, which already had a heavy police presence due to the high profile nature of the trial taking place. Nik Popli, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024 Designed from high-quality cotton, this floor-length dress features a slight collar, billowing short sleeves, and buttons down the front that add stunning detailing to this timeless piece. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2024 Related article Ukraine’s parliament scraps demobilization plans in bid to boost military Videos on social media showed vast plumes of smoke billowing from the Trypilska plant as a fire continued to rage. Svitlana Vlasova, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024 Old Glory is seen billowing to the ground before the man is seen reaching down to the ground and crumpling up the flag. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 6 Apr. 2024 These fraternities carry religious statues through clouds of billowing incense against a soundtrack of solemn music. Claire Boobbyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2024 Heavy smoke begins billowing from the ship's exhaust stack, and then the lights blink out again. USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024 In August of 1948, a handful of white parachutes billowed out from the side of a small plane, each drifting toward the Earth with a wooden crate a few inches larger than an airplane carry-on bag dangling below it. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'billow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Old Norse bylgja; akin to Old High German balg bag — more at belly

First Known Use

Noun

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of billow was in 1552

Dictionary Entries Near billow

Cite this Entry

“Billow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/billow. Accessed 1 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

billow

1 of 2 noun
bil·​low ˈbil-ō How to pronounce billow (audio)
1
: wave entry 2 sense 1
especially : a large wave
2
: a rolling mass like a high wave
billows of smoke

billow

2 of 2 verb
1
: to rise or roll in waves
the billowing ocean
2
: to bulge or swell out
sails billowing in the breeze

More from Merriam-Webster on billow

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