verb
Uncommon
tow
toh
Tow (verb) means to pull a vehicle or object behind another using a rope, chain, or line. Example: “The truck towed the broken-down car to the garage.”
verb
1
To pull a vehicle or object behind another using a rope, chain, or line.
"In its current specification it cannot be driven and must be towed to its work location by a locomotive."
— , At the cutting edge of NR's track work (2022)
"The truck towed the broken-down car to the garage."
"The tractor can tow a heavy trailer across the muddy field."
"Could you tow my caravan to the campsite this weekend?"
noun
1
The act of towing, or a vehicle being towed.
"The boat needed a tow back to the harbor."
"Our car broke down, so we phoned a garage and asked for a tow."
"The sailors waved as the little tug gave the ship a tow into port."
"It isn't the car's battery; I think I need a tow."
How to use tow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo pull something along behind a vehicle or boat.
Common mistake
Don't confuse tow with toe (the digit on your foot) — they sound alike but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
tow truck
in tow
tow away
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Word forms
- Plural
- tows
- Third person singular
- tows
- Past tense
- towed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The truck _____ the broken-down car to the garage.
Etymology
From Old English togian, related to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to pull," shared with words like "tug" and "team."
Related words
Rhymes for tow
See all rhymes for tow →Frequently asked questions
What does “tow” mean?
The word “tow” means to pull a vehicle or object behind another using a rope, chain, or line. In plain terms, to pull something along behind a vehicle or boat.
How do you pronounce “tow”?
“Tow” is pronounced toh (/toʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tow” in a sentence?
Here is “tow” used in a sentence: “The truck towed the broken-down car to the garage.”
What is another word for “tow”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tow” include hards and oakum.
What part of speech is “tow”?
Depending on how it is used, “tow” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “tow” come from?
The word “tow” comes from Old English. From Old English togian, related to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to pull," shared with words like "tug" and "team.".
Is “tow” a common word?
“Tow” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tow” have?
“Tow” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to pull a vehicle or object behind another using a rope, chain, or line.
What is the difference between "tow" and "pull"?
"Tow" specifically means to pull a vehicle or object behind another using a rope, chain, or line, such as a truck towing a trailer. "Pull" is a broader term that can describe moving something toward you with or without a connecting line, so all towing is pulling, but not all pulling is towing.
What is the difference between "tow" and "tug"?
"Tow" describes the ongoing act of hauling a vehicle or object behind another using a line, while "tug" usually refers to a single sharp pull. A tugboat, for instance, tows larger ships, but the pulling action itself is often described with the verb "tug" only for short, forceful movements.
Can "tow" be used as a noun?
Yes, "tow" can refer to the act of towing itself, or to a vehicle that is being towed, as in "the car was on a tow" or "we arranged a tow."
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