shovel

play

noun shov·el \ˈshə-vəl\

Definition of shovel

1a : a hand implement consisting of a broad scoop or a more or less hollowed out blade with a handle used to lift and throw materialb : something that resembles a shovelc : an excavating machine; especially : a hydraulic diesel-engine driven power shovel
2 : shovelful

See shovel defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of shovel from the Web

A woman hit a juvenile in the face and struck the child in the arm with a shovel.

— Washington Post, "Crime report for Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties," 19 July 2017
Do your math on the back of a coal shovel, the way Abraham Lincoln did.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "The Bathroom Police Forgot to Run the Government," 6 July 2017
Chancellor James Schmidt and Kimera Way, president of UW-Eau Claire's private fundraising foundation and executive director of university advancement, were among two dozen VIPs with ceremonial shovels and hardhats that day.

— karen herzog, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Eau Claire is more than Eaux Claires: It's home to millennials," 1 July 2017
In January 2015, D'Anna told police that Alonso broke his storm door window with a shovel, records show.

— zak koeske, Daily Southtown, "911 recording: Oak Lawn fire victim reports blaze, identifies suspect before dying," 30 June 2017
Kievman said the Chabad community hopes to have shovels in the ground within the next six months.

— sergio carmona, Jewish Journal, "Chabad Chayil dinner includes honorees and fun," 29 June 2017
Instead of putting his shovel down, though, Trump worked it furiously.

— david von drehle, Time, "Will Robert Mueller Separate Fact From Fiction?," 22 June 2017
Soon, however, these spectators had their platform upset when the shovels continued their clawing to the east as far as Sixth Avenue.

— paul dorpat, The Seattle Times, "And you think we have traffic issues downtown now …," 21 June 2017
Chief among those, Steneck said, is to have a shovel and water to quickly extinguish an accidental fire, and a cellphone to report the fire.

— kristin rodine, idahostatesman, "Ricocheted bullets sparked Sand Hollow fire that destroyed home, burned 266 acres," 19 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shovel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of shovel

Middle English, from Old English scofl; akin to Old High German scūfla shovel, Old English scūfan to thrust away

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

shovel

verb shov·el

Definition of shovel

shoveled

shovelled

;

shoveling

shovelling

play \ˈshə-və-liŋ, ˈshəv-liŋ\

transitive verb
1 : to take up and throw with a shovel
2 : to dig or clean out with a shovel
3 : to throw or convey roughly or in a mass as if with a shovel shoveled his food into his mouth
intransitive verb
: to use a shovel

See shovel defined for English-language learners

Examples of shovel in a Sentence

He is outside shoveling snow.
I have to shovel the driveway.
I had to shovel for an hour to clear the driveway.
The snow was so deep we had to shovel a path to our front door.
Stop shoveling food into your mouth.

Recent Examples of shovel from the Web

This is perhaps the most significant tell: There is no reason to make a tax cut on capital gains/dividends *retroactive* unless your purpose is to shovel money to rich people.

— brian beutler, New Republic, "Here’s proof that the secret Republican “health care” bill is really a millionaire tax cut bill.," 22 June 2017
This is perhaps the most significant tell: There is no reason to make a tax cut on capital gains/dividends *retroactive* unless your purpose is to shovel money to rich people.

— brian beutler, New Republic, "Here’s proof that the secret Republican “health care” bill is really a millionaire tax cut bill.," 22 June 2017
Two other neighbors, Dwayne Lee and Gambrell, said Murray would regularly shovel the snow, mow the lawn and take out the trash.

— jennifer dixon, Detroit Free Press, "Detroiter sues, says his lifelong home demolished in ambush-style eviction," 18 June 2017
Sporting green shirts, volunteers spanned the campus, installing benches, working on playgrounds, painting murals, shoveling wood chips and giving the front office and teacher’s lounge a makeover.

— nathaniel percy, Orange County Register, "Hundreds of volunteers beautify Lake Forest’s Gates Elementary on Serve Day," 12 June 2017
O’Neal passed the ball to Horry who shoveled it Bryant who snaked toward the basket.

— marcos bretón, sacbee.com, "Kings fans: Robert Horry ripped your heart out 15 years ago today and he’s not sorry," 26 May 2017
Flanked by family and friends, Brock’s parents watched as guests took turns shoveling dirt to cover the base of the tree.

— priscella vega, Daily Pilot, "A year later, Newport school remembers third-grader struck and killed by trash truck," 25 May 2017
Pokryfke, who had a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate, also turned in one of the Blackhawks' web gems, deftly shoveling the ball sideways to shortstop Grace Hunger to force a runner in the sixth.

— rick armstrong, Aurora Beacon-News, "Hannah Beatus throws shutout as West Aurora ousts Naperville Central," 24 May 2017
A bulldozer shoveled heaps of debris and unclaimed belongings into a dumpster.

— tonya alanez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Fort Lauderdale uses bulldozers to clear out homeless camp at downtown park," 19 May 2017

First Known Use of shovel

15th century

SHOVEL Defined for English Language Learners

shovel

play

noun

Definition of shovel for English Language Learners

: a tool with a long handle that is used for lifting and throwing dirt, sand, snow, etc.
: the part of a machine (such as a backhoe) that picks up and moves dirt, sand, snow, etc.

shovel

verb

Definition of shovel for English Language Learners

: to lift and throw (dirt, sand, snow, etc.) with a shovel
: to remove snow from (a sidewalk, driveway, etc.) with a shovel
: to create (a path) by removing snow with a shovel

SHOVEL Defined for Kids

shovel

play

noun shov·el \ˈshə-vəl\

Definition of shovel for Students

1 : a tool with a long handle and broad scoop used to lift and throw loose material (as dirt or snow)
2 : as much as a shovel will hold a shovel of sand

shovel

play

verb shov·el

Definition of shovel for Students

shoveled

shovelled

;

shoveling

shovelling

1 : to lift or throw with a shovel shovel snow
2 : to dig or clean out with a shovel I shoveled out the sheep pens.
3 : to move large amounts of into something quickly He shoveled food into his mouth.