plural shovels
1
: a tool with a long handle that is used for lifting and throwing dirt, sand, snow, etc.
2
: the part of a machine (such as a backhoe) that picks up and moves dirt, sand, snow, etc.
shovels; US shoveled or British shovelled; US shoveling or British shovelling
1
: to lift and throw (dirt, sand, snow, etc.) with a shovel
He is outside shoveling snow.
2
US
a
: to remove snow from (a sidewalk, driveway, etc.) with a shovel
I have to shovel the driveway.
I had to shovel for an hour to clear the driveway.
b
: to create (a path) by removing snow with a shovel
The snow was so deep we had to shovel a path to our front door.
3
informal
: to put large amounts of (something, such as food) into something in a quick way
Stop shoveling food into your mouth.
Cite this Entry
“Shovel.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/shovel. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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