prow

¹ American  

[prou] / praʊ /

noun

1. the forepart of a ship or boat; bow.

2. the front end of an airship.

3. Literary. a ship.

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prow ² American  

[prou] / praʊ /

adjective

Archaic.

1. valiant.

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prow British  

/ praʊ /

noun

1. the bow of a vessel

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Other Word Forms

• prowed adjective

Etymology

Origin of prow¹

1545–55; < Middle French proue < Upper Italian ( Genoese ) prua < Latin prōra < Greek prôira

Origin of prow²

1350–1400; Middle English < Old French prou < Vulgar Latin *prōdis. See proud

Example Sentences

The old man folded his arms on the prow of the boat and rested his chin on top of them, looking down into the water.

From Literature

She sat in the prow of the boat, ducked low enough to be protected from the wind by its high sides.

From Literature

It’s as if he’s plowing forward on the prow of a ship.

From Los Angeles Times

They show the prow of a wooden ship, encrusted with marine life, a few bronze cannons scattered across the sand, and blue-and-white porcelain and gold coins shining on the ocean floor.

From BBC

Cutting through the seething sea was the sharp prow of a ship.

From Literature