stow

¹

[ stoh ]

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 by away ).
7. to lodge or quarter.

verb phrase

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

Stow

²

[ stoh ]

noun

1. a city in NE Ohio.

Stow

¹

/ stəʊ /

noun

1. StowJohn15251605MEnglishARTS AND CRAFTS: antiquarian John. 1525–1605, English antiquary, noted for his Survey of London and Westminster (1598; 1603)

stow

²

/ 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!

Other Words From

• stowa·ble adjective
• re·stow verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of stow¹

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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of stow¹

Old English stōwian to keep, hold back, from stōw a place; related to Old High German stouwen to accuse, Gothic stōjan to judge, Old Slavonic staviti to place

Example Sentences

In college, at the small Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, the seeds stowed since her childhood Boundary Waters journey came roaring back to life.

From Outside Online

Lily can rest her head on the packages of softgoods stowed on the back seat.

From Washington Post

He attempted to stow away on a ship bound for Britain, but he was caught and sent to jail for 10 weeks, he said.

From Washington Post

When the season is over and you’re stowing away your beacon, pop out the batteries to prevent corrosion.

From Outside Online

Because it’s foldable, this unit is perfect for stowing in a bag and pulling out to assist in clearing trails or preparing areas for camp.

From Popular-Science

The $9 “Priority Boarding” fee on Delta so you can “stow your bags without hassle”?

From The Daily Beast

Mrs. Ford would have politely told her critics to stow it, though she might have agreed with them on a thing or two.

From The Daily Beast

No craft like the Grampus could work through a floe, What knots she could run, and what tons she could stow!

From Project Gutenberg

He must have lost his nerve when he made out your smoke and shinnied up there to stow away, taking the ship's papers with him.

From Project Gutenberg

The hardest part of a Leigh fisherman's life Jack had not yet encountered, for boys are seldom taken stow-boating.

From Project Gutenberg

Stow-boating is really sprat catching, and no one can exactly explain the meaning of the term.

From Project Gutenberg

This being settled the lads proceeded to put things straight and stow away their portmanteaus.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• put away
• secrete
• stash
• tuck