DOW

n. a famous number that shows how well the top companies in the US stock market are doing.

n. a common metonym for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, a price-weighted stock market index tracking 30 large, publicly owned companies in the US.

“Investors were worried when the Dow dropped by five hundred points in a single day.”

“Financial analysts monitored the Dow closely throughout the afternoon, anticipating that the Federal Reserve's announcement would trigger significant market volatility.”

American English

n. a traditional sailing boat with one or more sails, common in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.

n. an alternative spelling of 'dhow', referring to a traditional Arab sailing vessel with one or more lateen sails.

“The old dow sailed slowly across the harbour at sunset.”

“Historical records describe the dow as a primary vehicle for trade across the Indian Ocean, carrying spices and textiles between distant ports.”

Archaic

n. Stands for Day of the Week.

n. Abbreviation for Day of the Week. Used primarily in technical documentation, scheduling software, or database design.

“The programmer added a DOW column to the spreadsheet to track which days were busiest.”

“The system architecture requires a DOW parameter to ensure that automated backups only execute during low-traffic weekend hours.”

Technical

n. Stands for Department of War.

n. Abbreviation for Department of War. Historically used to refer to the US government department responsible for the operation and maintenance of the army.

“The old military documents were stamped with the DOW seal.”

“Researchers examining early twentieth-century administrative history often consult the DOW archives to understand the logistics of the mobilization effort.”

American English · Archaic

v. to grow well or be successful.

v. to thrive, prosper, or be of worth. Used in specific regional dialects, primarily in Northern England.

“The farmer hoped his new crops would dow in the rich soil.”

“In the local folklore of the region, a child who was healthy and strong was said to dow well despite the harsh winters.”

Dialect · British English · Archaic