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Synonyms

stow

1 American  
[stoh] / stoʊ /

verb (used with object)

  1. Nautical.

    1. to put (cargo, provisions, etc.) in the places intended for them.

    2. to put (sails, spars, gear, etc.) in the proper place or condition when not in use.

  2. to put in a place or receptacle, as for storage or reserve; pack.

    He stowed the potatoes in our cellar.

  3. to fill (a place or receptacle) by packing.

    to stow a carton with books.

  4. to have or afford room for; hold.

  5. Slang. to stop; break off.

    Stow it! Stow the talk!

  6. to put away, as in a safe or convenient place (often followed byaway ).

  7. to lodge or quarter.

verb phrase

  1. stow away to conceal oneself aboard a ship or other conveyance in order to obtain free transportation or to elude pursuers.

Stow 2 American  
[stoh] / stoʊ /

noun

  1. a city in NE Ohio.

stow 1 British  
/ stəʊ /

verb

  1. (often foll by away) to pack or store

  2. to fill by packing

  3. nautical to pack or put away (cargo, sails and other gear, etc)

  4. to have enough room for

  5. slang (usually imperative) to cease from

    stow your noise!

    stow it!
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Stow 2 British  
/ stəʊ /

noun

  1. John. 1525–1605, English antiquary, noted for his Survey of London and Westminster (1598; 1603)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • restow verb (used with object)
  • stowable adjective

Etymology

Origin of stow

1300–50; Middle English stowen, Old English stōwigan to keep, hold back (literally, to place), derivative of stōw place; akin to Old Norse eldstō fireplace, Gothic stojan to judge (literally, to place)

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.

Alternatively, Gulf producers could charter ships to stow crude at sea as their tanks on land fill up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

The gift suggestions here all have two things in common: They’re small enough to stow in a stocking, and they give off serious big California energy.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2024

Flights do not include "trolley bags" to stow in overhead compartments or checked baggage.

From BBC • Aug. 16, 2024

Today, I keep my coffee maker, grinder and a small toaster oven on the counter and stow lesser-used small appliances on easily accessible pullout shelves in the lower cabinets.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2024

I stow the stool and stand, hoping my knees don’t give out, or alternatively, that I don’t start dancing a jig.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

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.