scow

noun

ˈskau̇ 

: a large flat-bottomed boat with broad square ends used chiefly for transporting bulk material (such as ore, sand, or refuse)

Examples of scow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Work scows were up to 90 feet long and hauled coal, grain and limestone. — Diana Lambdin Meyer, USA Today, 28 June 2025

The family friends promised to help Wade find work at a seafood processing plant or on a fish-buying scow. — Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025

Partway through the trip, their motorboat breaks down, and they are forced to pole more than 200 miles upriver in a scow. — Krista Langlois, Outside Online, 6 Feb. 2020

Instead, its members have up to 50 small, modest, one- and two-person dinghies, 20-foot racing scows, and a few larger craft. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Dutch schouw; akin to Old High German scalta punt pole

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scow

• bao
• bough
• brow
• chow
• ciao
• clow
• cow
• dao
• dow
• frau
• hao
• hau

Kids Definition

scow

noun

ˈskau̇ 

: a large flat-bottomed boat with broad square ends used chiefly for transporting sand, gravel, or refuse