\ ˈbau̇
\
\
bowed; bowing; bows
Definition of bow
(Entry 1 of 6)
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)
\ ˈbau̇
\
\
Definition of bow (Entry 2 of 6)
: 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)
\ ˈbō
\
\
Definition of bow (Entry 3 of 6)
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)
\ ˈbō
\
\
bowed; bowing; bows
Definition of bow (Entry 4 of 6)
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)
\ ˈbau̇
\
\
Definition of bow (Entry 5 of 6)
1
nautical
: the forward part of a ship
—often used in plural crossing the bows
Bow
geographical name
\ ˈbō
\
\
Definition of Bow (Entry 6 of 6)
river 315 miles (507 kilometers) long in southwestern Alberta, Canada, rising in Banff National Park
Synonyms & Antonyms for bow
Synonyms: Verb (1)
- blink,
- budge,
- capitulate,
- concede,
- give in,
- knuckle under,
- quit,
- relent,
- submit,
- succumb,
- surrender,
- yield
Synonyms: Noun (2)
Synonyms: Verb (2)
Antonyms: Verb (1)
Antonyms: Verb (2)
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Cite this Entry
“Bow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bow. Accessed 24 Jul. 2021.
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More Definitions for bow
bow
verb
\ ˈbau̇
\
\
bowed; bowing
Kids Definition of bow
(Entry 1 of 5)
1
: to bend the head or body as an act of politeness or respect
2
: to stop resisting : yield
He bowed to pressure to resign.
bow
nounKids Definition of bow (Entry 2 of 5)
: the act of bending the head or body to express politeness or respect
bow
noun
\ ˈbō
\
\
Kids Definition of bow (Entry 3 of 5)
1
: a weapon used for shooting arrows and usually made of a strip of wood bent by a cord connecting the two ends
2
: something shaped in a curve
3
: a knot made with one or more loops
Tie the ribbon in a bow.
4
: a rod with horsehairs stretched from end to end used for playing a stringed instrument (as a violin)
bow
verb
\ ˈbō
\
\
bowed; bowing
Kids Definition of bow (Entry 4 of 5)
: to bend or cause to bend into a curve
The wall bows out.
bow
noun
\ ˈbau̇
\
\
Kids Definition of bow (Entry 5 of 5)
: the forward part of a ship
bow
noun
\ ˈbō
\
\
Medical Definition of bow
: a frame for the lenses of eyeglasses
also
: the curved sidepiece of the frame passing over the ear
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Time Traveler for bow
The first known use of bow was before the 12th century
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