sow
1[ soh ]
/ soʊ /
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verb (used with object), sowed, sown or sowed, sow·ing.
to scatter (seed) over land, earth, etc., for growth; plant.
to plant seed for: to sow a crop.
to scatter seed over (land, earth, etc.) for the purpose of growth.
to implant, introduce, or promulgate; seek to propagate or extend; disseminate: to sow distrust or dissension.
to strew or sprinkle with anything.
verb (used without object), sowed, sown or sowed, sow·ing.
to sow seed, as for the production of a crop.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of sow
1First recorded before 900; Middle English sowen, Old English sāwan; cognate with Dutch zaaien, German säen, Old Norse sā, Gothic saian; akin to seed, Latin sēmen “seed”
OTHER WORDS FROM sow
sow·a·ble, adjectivesow·er, nounun·sowed, adjectiveOther definitions for sow (2 of 2)
sow2
[ sou ]
/ saʊ /
noun
an adult female swine.
the adult female of various other animals, as the bear.
Metallurgy.
- a large oblong mass of iron that has solidified in the common channel through which the molten metal flows to the smaller channels in which the pigs solidify.
- the common channel itself.
- a basin holding any of certain molten nonferrous metals to be cast.
Origin of sow
2First recorded before 900; Middle English soue, sou(we), Old English sugu, sū; cognate with German Sau, Old Norse sȳr, Latin sūs, Greek hûs, Tocharian B suwo; see swine
OTHER WORDS FROM sow
sowlike, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use sow in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for sow (1 of 2)
sow1
/ (səʊ) /
verb sows, sowing, sowed, sown or sowed
to scatter or place (seed, a crop, etc) in or on (a piece of ground, field, etc) so that it may growto sow wheat; to sow a strip of land
(tr) to implant or introduceto sow a doubt in someone's mind
Derived forms of sow
sowable, adjectivesower, nounWord Origin for sow
Old English sāwan; related to Old Norse sā, Old High German sāen, Old Slavonic seja, Latin serere to sow
British Dictionary definitions for sow (2 of 2)
sow2
/ (saʊ) /
noun
a female adult pig
the female of certain other animals, such as the mink
metallurgy
- the channels for leading molten metal to the moulds in casting pig iron
- iron that has solidified in these channels
Word Origin for sow
Old English sugu; related to Old Norse sӯr, Old High German sū, Latin sūs, Norwegian sugga, Dutch zeug: see swine
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Other Idioms and Phrases with sow
sow
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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