shovel

1 of 2

noun

shov·​el ˈshə-vəl 

1

a

: a hand implement consisting of a broad scoop or a more or less hollowed out blade with a handle used to lift and throw material

b

: something that resembles a shovel

c

: an excavating machine

especially : a hydraulic diesel-engine driven power shovel

2

: shovelful

shovel

2 of 2

verb

shoveled or shovelled; shoveling or shovelling 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

Synonyms of shovel

Verb

• dig
• excavate

Examples of shovel in a Sentence

Verb

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 on the Web

Noun

Carry a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket and additional warm clothing, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 4 Feb. 2026

Sachs has said shovels shouldn’t go into the ground until proper infrastructure is in place, which has generated a debate about whether developers have the responsibility to consider sufficient infrastructure before building. —Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026

Verb

Liquid Brine Spraying liquid brine onto your walkways and driveway before a storm or freezing temperatures, or immediately after shoveling snow, lowers the freezing point of water and creates a barrier that prevents ice from bonding to pavement, according to Gautum. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026

The medley for winter-weary Americans has included everything from aching backs from shoveling to sore throats to frozen noses. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

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

Phrases Containing shovel

• pick-and-shovel
• power shovel
• shovel hat
• shovel-nosed
• shovel pass
• shovel-ready
• steam shovel

Rhymes for shovel

• hovel

Kids Definition

shovel

1 of 2 noun

shov·​el ˈshəv-əl 

1

: a broad scoop with a handle used for lifting and throwing loose material (as dirt or snow)

2

: shovelful

shovel

2 of 2 verb

shoveled or shovelled; shoveling or shovelling

ˈshəv-(ə-)liŋ

1

: to lift and throw with a shovel

shovel snow

2

: to dig or clean out with a shovel

shovel out the sheep pens

3

: to throw or carry roughly or in a mass as if with a shovel

stop shoveling the food into your mouth