plow
plow Lexical Profile
plow Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American A large agricultural implement drawn by a tractor or draft animals, used for cutting, lifting, and turning over soil in preparation for planting.
"The farmer hitched the heavy iron plow to his tractor at the crack of dawn to begin turning the lower field."
American An implement or vehicle used for clearing away snow from roads, railways, or driveways.
"The city dispatched a fleet of plows to keep the major highways open during the blizzard."
• verb
American To break up, turn over, or cultivate soil using an agricultural implement, usually before sowing seed.
"They need to plow the fields in the early spring before the seasonal rains arrive."
American To move forcefully and steadily through something, often overcoming resistance.
"The cargo ship continued to plow through the heavy ocean swells despite the violent storm."
American To clear snow from a road, driveway, or other area using a snowplow.
"We couldn't leave the house until the municipal workers came to plow our street."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Plow" is the standard American English spelling, whereas "plough" is the standard spelling in British and Commonwealth English.
• Rhymes for plow
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'plōg' or 'plōh', of Germanic origin. It is cognate with Old Norse 'plógr' and modern German 'Pflug'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.