Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

snowplow

American  
[snoh-plou] / ˈsnoʊˌplaʊ /

noun

  1. an implement or machine for clearing away snow from highways, railroad tracks, etc.

  2. Skiing. a maneuver in which a skier pushes the heels of both skis outward so that they are far apart, as for turning, decreasing speed, or stopping.

verb (used with object)

  1. to clear of snow using a snowplow.

verb (used without object)

  1. to clear away snow with a snowplow.

  2. Skiing. to execute a snowplow.

Etymology

Origin of snowplow

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; snow + plow

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Renner suffered a life-threatening snowplow accident on New Year’s Day in 2023 and described the event and his struggles to recover in his 2025 memoir.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

Rhode Island officials said that 450 snowplow crews would report for duty around 1 a.m.

From New York Times • Feb. 13, 2024

Actor Jeremy Renner, who survived a serious snowplow accident at the start of 2023, followed.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 11, 2023

He worked as a carpenter, snowplow operator, farm manager, maintenance technician and farm hand, among other jobs.

From Washington Times • Nov. 28, 2023

He just climbs over the mountain of snow left by the snowplow.

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.