prow

¹

[prou]

noun

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

2. the front end of an airship.

3. Literary.,  a ship.

prow

²

[prou]

adjective

Archaic.

1. valiant.

prow

/ praʊ /

noun

1. the bow of a vessel

Other Word Forms

• prowed adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of prow¹

C16: from Old French proue, from Latin prora, from Greek prōra; related to Latin pro in front

Example Sentences

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

A shoulder bag with a disposable diaper, baby bottle and infant shoes sits on one prow alongside tins of anchovies and tuna from Tunisia and many plastic sandals.

From Seattle Times

Whenever the beach goes underwater and the waves move in, this corner building looks like the prow of a ship lost at sea.

From Los Angeles Times