hew

1 of 2

verb

ˈhyü 

hewed; hewed or hewn ˈhyün  ; hewing

transitive verb

1

: to cut with blows of a heavy cutting instrument

roughly hewn logs

2

: to cut down by blows of an ax

hew a tree

3

: to give form or shape to with or as if with heavy cutting blows

… hewed their farms from the wilderness.

—J. T. Shotwell

intransitive verb

1

: to make cutting blows (as with an ax)

2

: conform, adhere

hew to tradition

—often used in the phrase hew to the line

Each candidate tried to paint a picture of his opponent as a politician who will hew to the line of his respective political party.

—Sandra Constantine

hewer noun

HEW

2 of 2

abbreviation

Department of Health, Education, and Welfare

Synonyms of hew

Verb

• mow
• fell

Examples of hew in a Sentence

Verb

They hewed logs to build a cabin.

The walls are built of stones hewn by skilled craftsmen.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Biden administration hewed closely to the same policy. —ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026

Independents hewed more closely to the Democratic view with 76% disapproving and 24% approving. —Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 25 Feb. 2026

The Biden administration hewed closely to the same policy. —CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, the newest major candidate to enter the race, hewed toward partisan middle ground, chastising leaders in Sacramento for allowing the state budget to balloon without tangible improvements to housing affordability, homelessness and public schools. —Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English hēawan; akin to Old High German houwan to hew, Lithuanian kauti to forge, Latin cudere to beat

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing hew

• hew to
• hew to the line
• rough-hew

Rhymes for hew

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

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Kids Definition

hew

verb

ˈhyü 

hewed; hewed or hewn ˈhyün  ; hewing

1

: to chop down

hew trees

2

: to make or shape by cutting with an ax

a cabin built of rough-hewn logs

3

: to stick close to : adhere

hew to the established rules

hewer noun

Medical Definition

HEW

abbreviation

Department of Health, Education, and Welfare