billow

noun bil·low \ ˈbi-(ˌ)lō \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of billow

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

play \ˈbi-lə-wē\ adjective

See billow defined for English-language learners

See billow defined for kids

Examples of billow in a Sentence

Billows of smoke poured out of the burning building.
the rolling billows of the sea

Recent Examples of billow from the Web

The big brawls occur inside cartoon-style billows of smoke.

— colin covert, idahostatesman, "Wes Anderson’s animated ‘Isle of Dogs’ is a delight with bite | Idaho Statesman," 12 Apr. 2018
And for me, this steamy, dreamy, hunger-inducing billow of exotic mist – rising up into the atmosphere from dozens of tabletop pots bubbling in the dining room – offered the promise of a new adventure.

— craig laban, Philly.com, "Warming up to Chinese hot pot at Little Sheep," 5 Apr. 2018
After placing the 11 objects on outcroppings adorning one of the statues designed by Chicago artist Dave Carlson, the Seekers watched steam billow from pipes overhead as a lullaby-like tune played.

— eric thurm, WIRED, "An Alternate Reality Game That Takes Freshmen Orientation to a New Level," 25 Mar. 2018
Photos of the fire show a billow of smoke coming from one side of the building.

— alejandro serrano, BostonGlobe.com, "Three dead, four injured in Springfield fire," 18 Mar. 2018
As amplification is triggered by the musicians, the acoustic sounds blossom into overtone-rich billows, which sets the listener awash in thrilling, meticulously considered psychoacoustic effects.

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "French cellist and sound artist Leila Bordreuil diffuses and distorts bowed lines in her Chicago debut," 8 Mar. 2018
And then the ball finds the net with the softest splash, as if simulating the delicate billow of a jellyfish in motion.

— rob mahoney, SI.com, "Even As His Wizards Flatline, Bradley Beal's Star Rises," 31 Jan. 2018
Their words sending out billows of visible breath, the workers called out for items needed, settling in for another long one.

— w. derek russell, The Seattle Times, "Filmmakers shift gears from Mississippi to Hollywood," 20 Jan. 2018
Celebrate summer's arrival with fresh strawberries and billows of cream on this moist cake.

— Country Living, "Fresh Strawberry Cake," 4 Mar. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'billow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of billow

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1552

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

billow Synonyms

Synonyms

surge, swell, wave;

Related Words

sea(s);

surf;

breaker, whitecap;

comber, curl;

riffle, ripple, wavelet;

ground swell, roller;

tidal wave, tsunami;

billow

verb

Definition of billow

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 sky
—Donald Windham

See billow defined for English-language learners

Examples of billow in a Sentence

the curtains in the open windows billowed in the summer wind

Recent Examples of billow from the Web

As black smoke billowed, an announcement went over the loudspeaker urging people to go to their cars.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Worker injured during fire, explosion at Soldier Field event," 12 May 2018
Each year, an American flag billows between two ladder firetrucks at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.

— jessica anderson, baltimoresun.com, "Police officers, firefighters remembered at annual 'Fallen Heroes' ceremony," 5 May 2018
In another workout video posted Aug. 9, the former athlete’s shirt appeared to billow in the wind, successfully masking even a hint of a baby bump.

— jen juneau, PEOPLE.com, "Anna Kournikova Shares First Photo of Her Baby Bump Four Months After Welcoming Twins," 3 May 2018
Smoke will billow over western Palm Beach County this week, as large tracts of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge are burned to manage wildlife habitat and reduce the buildup of fuel for potential wildfires.

— david fleshler, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Prescribed fires to burn this week at Loxahatchee wildlife refuge," 3 May 2018
Smoke could be seen billowing from the refinery after the initial explosion on Thursday morning, according to photos posted by local news outlets.

— jamie ducharme, Time, "Wisconsin Oil Refinery Explosion Injures 20, Forces Evacuations Within 10 Miles," 26 Apr. 2018
When firefighters arrived, smoke was billowing from a third floor apartment and people working on the home were outside.

— mikaela porter, courant.com, "West Hartford Firefighters Investigating Newington Road Apartment Fire," 23 Apr. 2018
But barely 90 minutes later, billowing flames and smoke began spewing from the sprawling rural compound.

— Fox News, "AP Was There: The fiery end of the standoff in Waco, Texas," 19 Apr. 2018
The sleeves of defending champ Geoffrey Kirui’s white windbreaker would billow in the 20-30 m.p.h.

— martin fritz huber, Outside Online, "The 2018 Boston Marathon Was Perfect Chaos," 18 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of billow

see ¹billow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1592

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

billow Synonyms

BILLOW Defined for English Language Learners

billow

noun

Definition of billow for English Language Learners

: a moving cloud or mass of smoke, steam, etc.
: a large wave

billow

verb

Definition of billow for English Language Learners

: to move as a large cloud or mass
: to be pushed outward by air
: to rise or roll in waves

BILLOW Defined for Kids

billow

noun bil·low \ ˈbi-lō \

Definition of billow for Students

1 : a large wave

… the billows rose and fell unbroken.
—Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island

2 : a moving cloud or mass (as of smoke or flame)

billow

verb

Definition of billow for Students

billowed; billowing

1 : to rise or roll in large waves

the billowing ocean

2 : to move as a large cloud or mass

Smoke billowed from the chimney.

3 : to bulge or swell out

Sails billowed in the breeze.

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See words that rhyme with billow Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for billow Spanish Central: Translation of billow Nglish: Translation of billow for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of billow for Arabic speakers

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billow

Definition of billow

billowy

Examples of billow in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of billow

billow Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

billow

Definition of billow

Examples of billow in a Sentence

Recent Examples of billow from the Web

Origin and Etymology of billow

billow Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

BILLOW Defined for English Language Learners

billow

Definition of billow for English Language Learners

billow

Definition of billow for English Language Learners

BILLOW Defined for Kids

billow

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billow

Definition of billow for Students

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