hoe

¹

[hoh]

noun

1. a long-handled implement having a thin, flat blade usually set transversely, used to break up the surface of the ground, destroy weeds, etc.

2. any of various implements of similar form, as for mixing plaster or mortar.

verb (used with object)

hoed, hoeing 

1. to dig, scrape, weed, cultivate, etc., with a hoe.

verb (used without object)

hoed, hoeing 

1. to use a hoe.

Hoe

²

[hoh]

noun

1. Richard, 1812–86, U.S. inventor and manufacturer of printing-press equipment.

2. his father Robert, 1784–1833, U.S. manufacturer of printing presses.

hoe

/ həʊ /

noun

1. any of several kinds of long-handled hand implement equipped with a light blade and used to till the soil, eradicate weeds, etc

verb

1. to dig, scrape, weed, or till (surface soil) with or as if with a hoe

Other Word Forms

• hoer noun
• hoelike adjective
• unhoed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoe¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English howe, from Old French houe, from Germanic; compare Middle Dutch houwe, Old High German houwa “mattock”; akin to hew

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoe¹

C14: via Old French houe from Germanic: compare Old High German houwā, houwan to _hew , German Haue hoe

Idioms and Phrases

see tough row to hoe.

Related Words

• bore 
• bulldoze 
• burrow 
• clean 
• discover 
• dredge 
• drill 
• enter 
• excavate 
• exhume 
• go into 
• gouge 
• harvest 
• penetrate 
• scoop 
• search 
• shovel 
• sift 
• uncover 
• unearth