shovel

[ shuhv-uhl ]

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.

verb (used with object)

, shov·eled, shov·el·ing or (especially British) shov·elled, shov·el·ling.

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)

, shov·eled, shov·el·ing or (especially British) shov·elled, shov·el·ling.

1. to work with a shovel.

shovel

/ 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 calledshovelful the amount that can be contained in a shovel
4. See shovel hat
   short for shovel hat

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

Derived Forms

• ˈshoveller, noun

Other Words From

• un·shoveled adjective
• un·shovelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shovel¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of shovel¹

Old English scofl; related to Old High German scūfla shovel, Dutch schoffel hoe; see shove

Example Sentences

Also known as a beacon, a transceiver is just one part of a complete avalanche safety kit, which should also include, at the minimum, a probe and shovel.

From Outside Online

An electric shovel can speed up the job, or you can just work with well designed manual shovels.

From Popular-Science

Because of these common injuries, manufacturers have conducted research and designed ergonomic snow shovels with your comfort in mind.

From Popular-Science

Features to consider when shopping for snow shovelsBefore deciding on which snow shovel to buy this winter, consider the design, quality of materials, as well as the types of jobs your shovel is built to handle.

From Popular-Science

If you don’t typically get a lot of snow, you may be able to handle the job with a simple combination shovel or ergonomic shovel.

From Popular-Science

But how is it they never lose that hunger to turn over the next shovel of dirt?

From The Daily Beast

Moran also pointed out straight edges where a shovel had sliced into the earth.

From The Daily Beast

Trust us, the Obama administration said, about spying on Americans and restarting the economy through “shovel-ready” programs.

From The Daily Beast

He grabbed a shovel and started identifying mysterious birdcalls, naming previously unknown plants and trees.

From The Daily Beast

Leaning on the shovel in the pen outside the chicken coop, I was wondering.

From The Daily Beast

A sudden distaste for the monotonous toil with the shovel came upon him, and he felt the call of the wilderness.

From Project Gutenberg

Coffee Jack, shovel in hand, kept the larger stones moving when they threatened to choke up the boxes.

From Project Gutenberg

Pit your shovel in here an' lift this pickle, an' no' stand there gapin' like a grisly ghost at the door o' hell!

From Project Gutenberg

Without more ado they secured a broken shovel and two case-knives and began operations.

From Project Gutenberg

Far down below the stokers began to shovel coal like mad into the furnaces.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• trowel