chow

¹

[chou]

noun

1. food, especially hearty dishes or a meal.

verb phrase

1. chow down,  to eat; eat a meal, especially the main meal of the day.

   In the army we usually chow down at 6 p.m.

chow

²

[chou]

noun

(often initial capital letter)

1. chow chow.

Chow

³

[chou]

noun

Australian Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a contemptuous term used to refer to a Chinese person.

chow

/ tʃaʊ /

noun

1. informal,  food

2. short for chow-chow

Word History and Origins

Origin of chow¹

1855–60, short for chow-chow

Origin of chow²

Short form

Origin of chow³

First recorded in 1870–75; special use of spelling variant ( Chow ) of Chou ( def. )

Example Sentences

He will “chow down” on applesauce at preschool parties.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps the most popular place to chow down is Tracy’s Crab Shack in Juneau.

From Salon

Since 1959, they’ve come for Chinese American classics such as sweet and sour chicken, barbecued pork chow mein, egg rolls, chop suey and shrimp fried rice.

From Los Angeles Times

Methods of murder that were discussed allegedly included mixing poison into the food at the chow hall and in the commissary.

From Los Angeles Times

Kathryn, on the other hand, is filling up her days with a part-time position at the local mall’s J.Crew outlet and taking care of eight chow chow puppies she’s named after Maroon 5 songs.

From Salon