arrow
noun
a slender, straight, generally pointed missile or weapon made to be shot from a bow and equipped with feathers at the end of the shaft near the nock, for controlling flight.
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1 American
[ar-oh]
/ ˈær oʊ /
noun
-
arrows
plural
-
a slender, straight, generally pointed missile or weapon made to be shot from a bow and equipped with feathers at the end of the shaft near the nock, for controlling flight.
-
anything resembling an arrow in form, function, or character.
-
a linear figure having a wedge-shaped end, as one used on a map or architectural drawing, to indicate direction or placement.
-
Astronomy. Arrow, the constellation Sagitta.
verb (used with object)
Arrow
2
American
[ar-oh]
/ ˈær oʊ /
noun
arrow
British
/ ˈærəʊ /
noun
-
a long slender pointed weapon, usually having feathers fastened at the end as a balance, that is shot from a bow
-
any of various things that resemble an arrow in shape, function, or speed, such as a sign indicating direction or position
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of arrow
First recorded before 900; Middle English arewe, arwe, Old English earh; cognate with Old Norse ǫr (plural ǫrvar ), Gothic arhwazna; unattested Germanic arhwō (feminine), akin to Latin arcus (genitive arcūs ) “bow, arc”; thus unattested Latin arku- “bow,” and unattested pre-Germanic arku-ā “belonging to the bow”; see arc
Explanation
An arrow is a pointed weapon that's shot with a bow. If you enjoy archery, you like to shoot arrows at a target. A bow consists of a piece of wood, metal, or plastic that has a flexible string connected to each end, and an arrow is the smaller, sharp-ended projectile that's held as the string is stretched back. When the string is released, the arrow flies. The Old English source of arrow is earh, which most likely comes from an Old Norse root.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
And a canvas study of Alonzo’s own mural, “Eye of Consciousness,” incorporates the five Olympic rings, an arrow, a trumpet and Egyptian iconography.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
Every morning, my watch buzzed at 6 a.m., and I’d step outside into the soft dark, find the first arrow and start walking.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
"This research is achieved by team effort. There is an old Japanese saying: 'One arrow is easy to break, but three arrows bundled together are not,'" Mizuno said.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026
Excitement levels were raised further in the fourth leg when Littler had double 15 remaining for a second nine-darter, only for his arrow to land just the wrong side of the wire.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
At the princess’s command, the broom leapt into the air just above the first few children that lunged at them, then shot forward like an arrow, straight at the monsters blocking the doorway.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
The group went on to tour Europe, including playing the Netherlands’ Arrow Rock Festival in 2006.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Rook I, one of the world’s largest undeveloped projects, hosts the Arrow uranium deposit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
Quill & Arrow was founded in 2019 by attorneys Kevin Jacobson and Jonathan Shirian, according to the firm’s website, which touts recovering $500 million in lemon law payouts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
"Thank you for the support I've received over what has been an incredibly difficult and uncertain period in my life," said Arrow.
From BBC ● May 20, 2026
The most heavily relied upon prop for outdoor pictures was the family Pierce Arrow, parked with top down in the driveway.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Police searched the car and seized the bow and arrows but were satisfied the two men were not a threat to the public.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
But the ability to hit the Russian archer instead of letting the arrows fall is even better.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Scroll to the right or click the arrows to see the full map.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
The bows, arrows, daggers, and maces found in their tombs were often interpreted as ceremonial objects rather than equipment the women had actually used.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026
He pictured his father on the journey to the Land of the Dead -the land where arrows are plentiful, and the hunt· never fails.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
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