bowed; bowing; bows
Definition of bow
(Entry 1 of 5)
2
: to bend the head, body, or knee in reverence, submission, or shame
Bow before the king. bowed her head in shame
3
: to incline the head or body in salutation or assent or to acknowledge applause
bowing to the audience
4
: debut
the play will bow next month
1
: to cause to incline
wind bowing the treetops
2
: to incline especially in respect or submission
bow their heads in prayer
3
: to crush with a heavy burden
whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave Shakespeare
4a
: to express by bending the head, body, or knee : to express by bowing
bowing his appreciation
b
: to usher in or out with a bow (see bow entry 2)
bow
noun (1)Definition of bow (Entry 2 of 5)
: a bending of the head or body in respect, submission, assent, or salutation
also
: a show of respect or submission
smiled and gave a bow
bow
noun (2)Definition of bow (Entry 3 of 5)
1a
: something bent into a simple curve or arc
b
: rainbow
2
: a weapon that is used to propel an arrow and that is made of a strip of flexible material (such as wood) with a cord connecting the two ends and holding the strip bent
hunting with bow and arrow
3
: archer
4a
: a metal ring or loop forming a handle (as of a key)
b
: a knot formed by doubling a ribbon or string into two or more loops
c
: bow tie sense 1
d
: a frame for the lenses of eyeglasses
also
: the sidepiece of the frame passing over the ear
5
music
a
: a wooden rod with horsehairs stretched from end to end used in playing an instrument of the viol or violin family
b
: a stroke of such a bow
on the up bow
bow
verb (2)
bowed; bowing; bows
Definition of bow (Entry 4 of 5)
1
: to bend into a curve
the wall bows a little
1
: to cause to bend into a curve
Years of riding had bowed his legs.
2
music
: to play (a stringed instrument) with a bow
bowing the strings
bow
noun (3)Definition of bow (Entry 5 of 5)
1
nautical
: the forward part of a ship
—often used in plural crossing the bows
Buying Guide
Our Reviews team has selected the best rowing machines.
Test Your Vocabulary
Words Named After People
-
- Namesake of the leotard, Jules Léotard had what profession?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share bow
Time Traveler for bow
The first known use of bow was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century