noun Uncommon

plough

plow

Plough (noun) means a farm tool with a blade, pulled through soil to break it up before planting. Example: “The tractor pulled a heavy plough across the field.”

noun

A farm tool with a blade, pulled through soil to break it up before planting.

"The tractor pulled a heavy plough across the field."

verb

To turn over soil with a plough in preparation for planting.

"The farmer ploughed the field before sowing wheat."

To move forcefully or steadily through something, as if cutting a path.

"The truck ploughed through the flood water."

"She ploughed through the pile of emails before lunch."

To crash into something without stopping.

"The car ploughed into a row of parked vehicles."

How to use plough

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe farm tool for turning soil, or to move forcefully through something as if using one.

UK vs US

British English spells it "plough"; American English uses "plow" for the same word.

Common pairings

plough a field plough through plough into

Word forms

ploughed past tense, Ploughs plural, ploughs singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The tractor pulled a heavy _____ across the field.

Etymology

From Old English "plōh" and Old Norse "plógr", both going back to a shared Germanic root for the farming tool.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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turn Wagon Dipper Wain plow

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Rhymes for plough

cough rough dough bough tough enough though slough trough clough through borough

See all rhymes for plough →

Frequently asked questions

What does “plough” mean?

The word “plough” means a farm tool with a blade, pulled through soil to break it up before planting. In plain terms, the farm tool for turning soil, or to move forcefully through something as if using one.

How do you pronounce “plough”?

“Plough” is pronounced plow (/plaʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “plough” in a sentence?

Here is “plough” used in a sentence: “The tractor pulled a heavy plough across the field.”

What part of speech is “plough”?

Depending on how it is used, “plough” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “plough” come from?

The word “plough” comes from Old English. From Old English "plōh" and Old Norse "plógr", both going back to a shared Germanic root for the farming tool.

Is “plough” a common word?

“Plough” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “plough” have?

“Plough” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a farm tool with a blade, pulled through soil to break it up before planting.

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