plodded; plodding

intransitive verb

1
: to work laboriously and monotonously : drudge
2
a
: to walk heavily or slowly : trudge
b
: to proceed slowly or tediously
the movie's plot just plods along

transitive verb

: to tread slowly or heavily along or over
plod noun
plodder noun
ploddingly adverb

Examples of plod in a Sentence

We plodded through mud that came up past our ankles. I could hear my roommate plodding up the steps to our apartment. We plodded our way across the muddy field. He plodded through his work. The day was plodding along.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the meantime, the plodding march into the uncertain next chapter of college sports realignment continues. Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024 The flashback narrative is plodding, too, making a redundant case for parental concern that the audience would have accepted as normal behavior without explanation. Michael Alan Connelly, Vulture, 1 July 2024 Vance plodded on, trying to dislodge some bit of affinity. 08.26.2024 Trump’s Grave Photo Op Allison Jaslow often goes to Arlington National Cemetery to visit the fallen. The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024 Tether has been steadily plodding up all year, now at the highest market cap that it's ever attained. Brady Dale, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plod 

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plod was in 1562

Dictionary Entries Near plod

Cite this Entry

“Plod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plod. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

plod

verb
plodded; plodding
1
: to walk heavily or slowly : trudge
2
: to work or study with effort
3
: to progress or develop slowly
plod noun
plodder noun
ploddingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on plod

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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