(among the Dutch settlers of New York) a farm or country seat.
the Bowery, a street and area in New York City, historically noted for its cheap hotels and saloons, and populated by people who were destitute and homeless.
First recorded in 1695–1705; bower 1 + -y 1
An Americanism dating back to 1640–50; from Dutch bouwerij “farm,” equivalent to bouw “cultivation” + -erij -ery
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Our new 120,000-square-foot building on the Bowery signals our redoubled commitment to new art and new ideas, and to the museum as an ever-evolving site for risk-taking, collaboration and experimentation," she said.
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
Later, Goode created New York’s Area nightclub/art gallery in the 1980s; took ownership roles in several hotels and restaurants, including New York’s Bowery Hotel; and co-founded the nonprofit Turtle Conservancy with Maurice Rodrigues.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2025
By the time they reached the Bowery, the snow was a foot deep on the sidewalk.
From Salon • Dec. 24, 2024
Mansfield old boy Alastair Smith has a clear sight of goal after Jordan Bowery is robbed of the ball by Jayden Fevrier as he tries to shepherd the ball out of play.
From BBC • Mar. 22, 2024
They had just reached the Bowery when Boaz suddenly asked, “You really mean to tell me that Ashmodai lives in the East Village?”
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
