shovel

1 of 2

noun

shov·​el ˈshə-vəl How to pronounce shovel (audio)
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

shovel

2 of 2

verb

shoveled or shovelled; shoveling or shovelling ˈshə-və-liŋ How to pronounce shovel (audio)
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

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
So keep the shovels and boots close by but definitely dust off your raincoat. Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024 However, those policy initiatives might not be enough, which is why the city is turning to this outside-the-box program to get shovels into the ground faster. Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
Locals donated machinery, tools, and, most important, their time, to help in the clean-up—shoveling away the potentially toxic sludge, clearing fast-spreading mold, repairing damage to buildings. Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 11 Oct. 2024 Use a gardening fork or shovel to gently loosen the soil beneath the tubers and lift the potatoes by their stems. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shovel 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of shovel was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near shovel

Cite this Entry

“Shovel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shovel. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

shovel

1 of 2 noun
shov·​el ˈshəv-əl How to pronounce shovel (audio)
1
: a broad scoop with a handle used for lifting and throwing loose material (as dirt or snow)
2

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

More from Merriam-Webster on shovel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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