SINCE 1828
blow
verb (1)
\ ˈblō
\
\
blew\ ˈblü
\;
blown\ ˈblōn
\;
blowing
\;
blown\ ˈblōn
\;
blowing
Definition of blow
(Entry 1 of 5)
1a of air
(1)
: to be in motion
A breeze blew gently.
(2)
: to move with speed or force
The wind was blowing.
b
: to move or run quickly
The linebacker blew past the tackle.
2
: to send forth a current of air or other gas
Don't blow on your soup.
3a
: to make a sound by or as if by blowing
hear the train blow
4a
: boast
blowing about his accomplishments
b
: to talk windily
b
of a cetacean
: to eject moisture-laden air from the lungs through the blowhole
heard a whale blow nearby
6
: to move or be carried by or as if by wind
just blew into town for the weekend
b
: to become damaged or destroyed as a result of an electrical overload
The fuse blew. A Western Massachusetts Electric Company power substation blew yesterday afternoon, cutting power for 90 minutes to more than 9,100 customers …— Patrick Johnson
c
of a tire
: to release the contained air through a spontaneous rupture
—usually used with out blew out a tire
1a
: to set (gas or vapor) in motion
The fan blew hot air on us.
b
: to act on with a current of gas or vapor
The breeze blew my hair dry.
2a
: to play or sound on (a wind instrument)
blow their horns
b
: to play (something) on a wind instrument
blow a tune
3a
: to spread by report
… through the court his courtesy was blown …— John Dryden
4a
: to drive with a current of gas or vapor
The storm blew the boat off course.
b
: to clear of contents by forcible passage of a current of air
blow your nose
c
: to project (a gesture or sound made with the mouth) by blowing
blew him a kiss
5a
: to distend with or as if with gas
blow a balloon
b
: to produce or shape by the action of blown or injected air
blowing bubbles
6
of insects
: to deposit eggs or larvae on or in
wounds blown by flies
7
: to shatter, burst, or destroy by explosion
blow the safe open
8a
: to put out of breath with exertion
Take care not to blow the horses.
b
: to let (an animal, such as a horse) pause to catch the breath
paused to blow the horses
9a
: to expend (something, such as money) extravagantly
blew her allowance on a pair of jeans
b
: to treat with unusual expenditure
I'll blow you to a steak.
10
: to cause (a fuse) to blow
blew a fuse
11
: to rupture by too much pressure
blow a seal
12a
: botch sense 1
actors blowing their lines
b
: to fail to keep or hold
They blew a big lead.
c
: to lose or miss (an opportunity) because of mistakes or poor judgment
blow a chance to make a good impression
13
: to leave hurriedly
blew town
14
: to propel with great force or speed
blew a fastball by the batter
15
US, informal
: to drive or speed through or past (a traffic signal or stop sign) without stopping
He blew several red lights and stop signs before smashing into a pole and a fence, cops said.— Jessica Simeone et al.
blow a gasket
blow hot and cold
blow off steam
blow one's cool
blow one's cover
blow one's mind
blow one's top
or blow one's stack
blow smoke
blow the whistle
: to become enraged
: to be favorable at one moment and adverse the next
: to release pent-up emotions
: to lose one's composure
: to reveal one's real identity
: to overwhelm one with wonder or bafflement
an idea that's sure to blow your mind
1
: to become violently angry
2
: to go crazy
: to speak idly, misleadingly, or boastfully
: to call public or official attention to something (such as a wrongdoing) kept secret
—usually used with on blew the whistle on the firm's unethical practices
blow
noun (1)Definition of blow (Entry 2 of 5)
1
: an instance of air moving with speed or force : a blowing of wind especially when strong or violent
3
: an act or instance of blowing (see blow entry 1)
gave his nose a good blow a blow of the horn
4 metallurgy
a
: the time during which air is forced through molten metal to refine it
b
: the quantity of metal refined during that time
blow
verb (2)
blew\ ˈblü
\;
blown\ ˈblōn
\;
blowing
\;
blown\ ˈblōn
\;
blowing
Definition of blow (Entry 3 of 5)
blow
noun (2)Definition of blow (Entry 4 of 5)
1
: blossoms
2
: bloom entry 2 sense 1b
lilacs in full blow
blow
noun (3)Definition of blow (Entry 5 of 5)
1
: a forcible stroke delivered with a part of the body (such as the fist) or with an instrument
a mighty blow with his club boxers exchanging blows
2
: a hostile act or state : combat
nations coming to blows
3
: a forcible or sudden act or effort : assault
… such a language … would solve many of his … difficulties at a single blow.— Edward Sapir
4
: an unfortunate or calamitous happening
failure to land the job came as a blow
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More Definitions for blow
blow
verb
\ ˈblō
\
\
blew\ ˈblü
\;
blown\ ˈblōn
\;
blowing
Kids Definition of blow
(Entry 1 of 3)
1
: to move or be moved usually with speed and force
Wind is blowing from the north. The door blew shut.
2
: to move in or with the wind
Dust blew through the cracks.
3
: to send forth a strong stream of air from the mouth or from a bellows
If you are cold, blow on your hands.
4
: to make a sound or cause to sound by blowing
The whistle blows loudly. Blow your horn.
5
: to clear by forcing air through
Blow your nose.
6
: to shape by forcing air into
The workers showed how they blow glass.
7
: to enter or leave very quickly
She blew into the room.
8
: to fail in performing or keeping
The actor blew his lines. The team blew a big lead.
blow over
blow up
: to pass without effect
His anger will blow over.
1
: explode sense 1
2
: to fill with a gas
blow up a balloon
blow
nounKids Definition of blow (Entry 2 of 3)
: a blowing of wind : gale
blow
nounKids Definition of blow (Entry 3 of 3)
1
: a hard hit with a part of the body or an object
a hammer's blow a blow to the head
2
: a sudden happening that causes suffering or loss
The dog's death was a severe blow.
blow
transitive verb
\ ˈblō
\
\
blew\ ˈblü
\;
blown\ ˈblōn
\;
blowing
\;
blown\ ˈblōn
\;
blowing
Medical Definition of blow
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to free (the nose) of mucus and debris by forcible exhalation
2
of blowflies and flesh flies
: to deposit eggs or larvae on or in
blow
nounMedical Definition of blow (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: the act of some insects of depositing eggs or larvae
also
: a larva so deposited (as in a wound)
—used chiefly of blowflies and flesh flies
2
: forcible ejection of air from the body (as in freeing the nose of mucus and debris)
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