Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

clow

noun
\ˈklau̇\
plural -s

Definition of clow 

1 : an outfall sluice for water from a tidal river after it has deposited its sediment on flooded land

2 : a floodgate especially for a lock or water mill

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for clow

alteration of Middle English clowse (taken as plural), from Old English clūs, clūse bar, bolt, enclosure, from Medieval Latin clusa enclosure, from Latin, feminine of clusus, clausus, past participle of claudere to close

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about clow

Dictionary Entries near clow

clovewort

Clovis

Clovis I

clow

clowder

clown

clown's allheal

Statistics for clow

Look-up Popularity

Comments on clow

What made you want to look up clow? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

zibeline

a soft lustrous wool fabric with mohair

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Late Autumn 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

  • frosted-autumn-leaves
  • Which is a synonym of yahoo?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games