Definition of sow
1 : an adult female swine; also : the adult female of various other animals (such as a bear)
2a : a channel that conducts molten metal to moldsb : a mass of metal solidified in such a mold : ingot
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Origin and Etymology of sow
Middle English sowe, from Old English sugu; akin to Old English & Old High German sū sow, Latin sus pig, swine, hog, Greek hys
First Known Use: before 12th century
Definition of sow
sowed
;sown
play \ˈsōn\ orsowed
;sowing
intransitive verb
1 : to plant seed for growth especially by scattering
2 : to set something in motion : begin an enterprise
transitive verb
1a : to scatter (seed) upon the earth for growth; broadly : plant 1ab : to strew with or as if with seedc : to introduce into a selected environment : implant
2 : to set in motion : foment sow suspicion
3 : to spread abroad : disperse
Examples of sow in a Sentence
Every year we sow corn.
Farmers sowed the fields with corn.
We'll sow in the early spring.
Origin and Etymology of sow
Middle English, from Old English sāwan; akin to Old High German sāwen to sow, Latin serere, Lithuanian sėti
First Known Use: before 12th century
SOW Defined for English Language Learners
sow
playDefinition of sow for English Language Learners
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: to plant seeds in an area of ground
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: to cause (fear, doubt, etc.) to affect many people
SOW Defined for Kids
Definition of sow for Students
sowed
;sown
\ˈsōn\ orsowed
;sowing
1 : to plant or scatter (as seed) for growing We sow corn every spring.
2 : to cover with or as if with scattered seed for growing The farmer sowed a field with oats.
3 : to set in motion : cause to exist Both groups are sowing bad feelings.
sower
nounLearn More about sow
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See words that rhyme with sow Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sow Spanish Central: Translation of sow Nglish: Translation of sow for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sow for Arabic speakers
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