plow

1 of 2

noun

ˈplau̇ 

1

: an implement used to cut, lift, and turn over soil especially in preparing a seedbed

2

: any of various devices (such as a snowplow) operating like a plow

plow

2 of 2

verb

plowed; plowing; plows

transitive verb

1

a

: to turn, break up, or work (dirt, soil, land, etc.) with a plow

b

: to make (something, such as a furrow) with a plow

2

: to cut into, open, or make furrows or ridges in with or as if with a plow

3

: to cleave the surface of or move through (water)

whales plowing the ocean

4

: to clear away snow from with a snowplow

plow the street

5

: to spend or invest (money) in substantial amounts

—used with into

plow money into stocks

intransitive verb

1

a

: to use a plow

b

: to undergo plowing

2

a

: to move forcefully into or through something

the car plowed into a fence

b

: to proceed steadily and laboriously

had to plow through a stack of letters

plowable

ˈplau̇-ə-bəl 

adjective

plower

ˈplau̇(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms of plow

Verb

• rake
• cultivate
• furrow

Examples of plow in a Sentence

Verb

The soil was freshly plowed.

They used oxen to plow the field.

My street hasn't been plowed yet.

We hired someone to plow the snow from our driveway.

The town won't start plowing until the storm is almost over.

a ship plowing the ocean

They continued to plow their way through the tall grass.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Numerous plow trucks moved through the fire scene, presumably to salt and reduce ice buildup from the water used to fight the blaze. —Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025

Traditional methods like using mechanical rollers, plows, and manual clearing can be slow and put workers at risk. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025

Verb

One of the most dangerous times is when roadways are plowed following a snow. —Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025

During the storm, crews will be out treating the roads, plowing snow, and working to maintain safe and passable roadways. —Erika Stanish, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English plōh hide of land; akin to Old High German pfluog plow

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing plow

• plow ahead
• plow back
• plow into
• plow on
• plow under
• under the plow

Rhymes for plow

• bough
• brow
• chow
• ciao
• clow
• cow
• dao
• dow
• frau
• hao
• hau
• how

Kids Definition

plow

1 of 2 noun

ˈplau̇ 

1

: a farm machine used to cut, lift, and turn over soil

2

: a device (as a snowplow) used to spread or clear away matter on the ground

plow

2 of 2 verb

1

: to open, break up, or work with a plow

plow a furrow

2

: to move forcefully into or through

a ship plowing the waves

3

: to go steadily and with great effort

plow through a report

4

: to clear away snow from with a plow

plow the road