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
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Origin and Etymology of shovel
Middle English, from Old English scofl; akin to Old High German scūfla shovel, Old English scūfan to thrust away
shovel
Definition of shovel
shoveled
orshovelled
;shoveling
orshovelling
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
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.
First Known Use of shovel
15th century
SHOVEL Defined for English Language Learners
shovel
playDefinition of shovel for English Language Learners
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: a tool with a long handle that is used for lifting and throwing dirt, sand, snow, etc.
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: the part of a machine (such as a backhoe) that picks up and moves dirt, sand, snow, etc.
shovel
Definition of shovel for English Language Learners
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: to lift and throw (dirt, sand, snow, etc.) with a shovel
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: to remove snow from (a sidewalk, driveway, etc.) with a shovel
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: to create (a path) by removing snow with a shovel
SHOVEL Defined for Kids
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
Definition of shovel for Students
shoveled
orshovelled
;shoveling
orshovelling
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.
Learn More about shovel
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See words that rhyme with shovel Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shovel Spanish Central: Translation of shovel Nglish: Translation of shovel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of shovel for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shovel
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