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.
The third set plodded on with consistent serving until Popyrin found himself 15-40 at 4-5. Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 Throughout the month of May, Beijing and Washington made plodding progress toward a trade deal, both agreeing to lower and suspend duties on each other for a period of 90 days on May 12. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 16 June 2025 Everyone plodded along, trying desperately to avoid rough that hasn’t been cut and greens that never seem to lose their speed. Doug Ferguson, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025 Her language moves the way the turtle does, with a deliberate, clumsy gait, carrying bulky rhymes and blocks of alliteration on plodding feet. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 13 June 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plod. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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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