snowplow

noun snow·plow \ ˈsnō-ˌplau̇ \

Updated on: 27 Feb 2018

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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Recent Examples of snowplow from the Web

These devices will exchange data about low fogs, snowplow angles and much more.

— grant segall, cleveland.com, "Ohio Turnpike Commission approves communications system for connected and autonomous vehicles," 16 Oct. 2017
The state has an existing communications system used by 22,500 federal, state and local first responders and other public safety workers, including drivers of buses and snowplows.

— jeannette lee falsey, Alaska Dispatch News, "Alaska signs on to public safety broadband network unrolling nationwide," 11 Sep. 2017
As in later storms last season, the city will assign police to enforce tire-chain orders, keeping drivers from trying their luck on hills and getting stuck, blocking traffic and snowplows in the process.

— elliot njus, OregonLive.com, "Portland will have more salt, more plows to handle winter storms," 31 Oct. 2017
That preparation will perhaps be most visible Tuesday and Wednesday as snowplows hit the streets to run routes in a mock snow fight.

— holly v. hays, Indianapolis Star, "Here's why you'll see snowplows in Indianapolis on a 70-degree day," 9 Oct. 2017
The Ohio Turnpike Commission will make a 136-point inspection of its snowplows on Oct. 18 in Richfield and Amherst.

— grant segall, cleveland.com, "Ohio Department of Transportation prepares snowplows in October, because you never know (photos, video)," 11 Oct. 2017
Some of the trucks will be equipped with snowplow blades, while others won't.

— holly v. hays, Indianapolis Star, "Here's why you'll see snowplows in Indianapolis on a 70-degree day," 9 Oct. 2017
Yet historically, the push to consolidate by regionalizing a high school, say, or merging two police departments has been anathema to many residents who are loath to even share their snowplows.

— lisa w. foderaro, New York Times, "New York Towns’ New Deal: We’ll Make Your Signs, You Sweep Our Streets," 8 Oct. 2017
Extra firefighters in a city or village also wouldn't help with other needs such as more demand for county snowplows.

— jason stein, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Without fix, Wisconsin Foxconn deal could mean higher taxes for local homeowners," 28 Aug. 2017

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

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 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

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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