# DOW

/ˈdaʊ/ (US) · /dˈaʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dow
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the stock market index

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. a sailing vessel

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. day of the week

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

Stands for Day of the Week.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. Department of War

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Archaic

Stands for Department of War.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to thrive or prosper

verb · CEFR C2 · Dialect · British English · Archaic

to grow well or be successful.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The Dow rose by two hundred points today.
- Investors watched the Dow closely this morning to see how the market would react to the new interest rate announcement.
- While the Dow provides a snapshot of blue-chip industrial performance, many analysts prefer the S&P 500 for a broader view of the domestic economy's diverse sectors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.