snowplow

noun snow·plow \ ˈsnō-ˌplau̇ \

|Updated on: 21 May 2018

Examples: snowplow in a Sentence

Definition of snowplow

1 : any of various devices used for clearing away snow

2 : a stemming with both skis used for coming to a stop, slowing down, or descending slowly

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See snowplow defined for kids

Recent Examples of snowplow from the Web

The storm is like a snowplow in the atmosphere, shunting air ahead of it upwards and out of the way.

— matthew cappucci, Washington Post, "Video: Severe thunderstorms lash the Plains with tornadoes and hail," 4 May 2018
Pavement heaves, snowplows gash it, and wounds open up called potholes, chuckholes or worse.

— grant segall, cleveland.com, "Thumpity thump: Potholes are 'worse than usual' this year (photos)," 12 Mar. 2018
Dating to 1886, the carnival features more than four dozen events, including a snowplow competition, a boot hockey tournament and night parades.

— elaine glusac, chicagotribune.com, "Hygge vibe makes Minneapolis a winter winner," 25 Jan. 2018
The same big dump trucks that push snowplows and spread sand will also be capable of distributing road salt, Finch said, although the trucks can only unload one material at a time.

— eugene register-guard, OregonLive.com, "ODOT adds road salt to its arsenal in Lane County," 10 Jan. 2018
Hundreds of snowplows and other vehicles were deployed to clear roadways in Boston and surrounding areas as the blizzard hammered the region, covering streets in heavy snow.

— laney ruckstuhl, BostonGlobe.com, "Snowplows answer the call to duty in blizzard," 13 Mar. 2018
Heavy snow is unusual in southern Britain and Ireland, where the local authorities typically do not have the snowplows and salt spreaders that are standard equipment where harsh winters are common.

— ceylan yeginsu, New York Times, "Heaviest Snow in Decades Batters U.K., Ireland and the Continent," 1 Mar. 2018
And 19 of them would be on location somewhere with a snowplow roaring in the background.

— chad finn, BostonGlobe.com, "ESPN’s all-in approach to NFL free agency looks familiar," 15 Mar. 2018
The snowplows, the ice storms, the cold, cold unforgiving winter.

— anne geggis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Severe thunderstorms with a chance of 60-mph winds a possibility on Monday," 11 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of snowplow

1792

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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snowplow

verb

Definition of snowplow

snowplowed; snowplowing; snowplows

intransitive verb

: to execute a snowplow

snowplowed to a stop

See snowplow defined for English-language learners

Examples of snowplow in a Sentence

He snowplowed to a stop.

Recent Examples of snowplow from the Web

The board is also reviewing a homeowners association agreement, which outlines how the group will be responsible for a common septic system, and snowplowing the development’s private road, Guimond said.

— jill terreri ramos, BostonGlobe.com, "Marshfield housing development back on planning table," 10 May 2018
The results show the risks posed by the deficit-reduction plan that lawmakers have advanced to help pay for basic government services like schools and snowplowing while preserving a decades-old cash benefit.

— nathaniel herz, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska politicians could use the Permanent Fund to fix the deficit. But will that put PFDs at risk?," 21 Jan. 2018
Already a few bike trails are snowplowed in winter to allow hardy residents with fat-tired bikes to get around.

— tony bizjak, sacbee, "Driving to Lake Tahoe? Planners hope you’ll take the bus instead.," 10 May 2017

First Known Use of snowplow

1904

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SNOWPLOW Defined for English Language Learners

snowplow

noun

Definition of snowplow for English Language Learners

: a flat or curved piece of metal that is attached to the front of a vehicle and used for clearing snow from a road, driveway, etc.; also : a vehicle (such as a truck) that has a snowplow attached
: a position in skiing in which the front ends of the skis are moved together in order to stop, slow down, or turn