shovel

American  

[shuhv-uhl] / ˈʃʌv əl /

noun

1. an implement consisting of a broad blade or scoop attached to a long handle, used for taking up, removing, or throwing loose matter, as earth, snow, or coal.

2. any fairly large contrivance or machine with a broad blade or scoop for taking up or removing loose matter.

   a steam shovel.

3. a shovelful.

4. Informal. shovel hat.

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verb (used with object)

shoveled, shoveling, shovelled, shovelling

1. to take up and cast or remove with a shovel.

   to shovel coal.

2. to gather up in large quantity roughly or carelessly with or as if with a shovel.

   He shoveled food into his mouth.

3. to dig or clear with or as if with a shovel.

   to shovel a path through the snow.

verb (used without object)

shoveled, shoveling, shovelled, shovelling

1. to work with a shovel.

shovel British  

/ ˈʃʌvəl /

noun

1. an instrument for lifting or scooping loose material, such as earth, coal, etc, consisting of a curved blade or a scoop attached to a handle

2. any machine or part resembling a shovel in action

3. Also called: shovelful.  the amount that can be contained in a shovel

4. short for shovel hat

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verb

1. to lift (earth, etc) with a shovel

2. (tr) to clear or dig (a path) with or as if with a shovel

3. (tr) to gather, load, or unload in a hurried or careless way

   he shovelled the food into his mouth and rushed away

Other Word Forms

• shoveller noun
• unshoveled adjective
• unshovelled adjective

Etymology

Origin of shovel

before 900; Middle English schovel, Old English scofl; cognate with Dutch schoffel hoe; akin to German Schaufel shovel

Example Sentences

With recruiting strategy reduced to shoveling stacks of NIL dollars at players who jump through the transfer portal seemingly at will, it’s no wonder loyalty and etiquette have given way to opportunity and greed.

From Los Angeles Times

When billionaires start buying shovels, there’s probably gold in the hills.

From MarketWatch

So what to do when the favorite ‘picks and shovels’ trade—selling the hardware to power the AI gold rush—is exhausted?

From Barron's

So what to do when the favorite ‘picks and shovels’ trade—selling the hardware to power the AI gold rush—is exhausted?

From Barron's

So what to do when the favorite ‘picks and shovels’ trade—selling the hardware to power the AI gold rush—is exhausted?

From Barron's

Related Words

• dredge
• excavate