# Howe

/ˈhaʊ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/howe
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a hill or burial mound

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Dialect

a small hill or a pile of earth built over an ancient grave.

For teachers: a small hill or a prehistoric burial mound; a variant of 'how' derived from Old Norse 'haugr'.

- The ancient howe stood clearly against the flat landscape of the fields.
- Archaeologists discovered several flint tools while excavating the howe, suggesting the site had been used for ritual purposes for centuries.

Usage: Commonly found in place names in Northern England and Scotland.

## Examples

- The sheep gathered in the howe to stay warm.
- The ancient howe stood prominently against the flat horizon, marking the site of a long-forgotten burial ground.
- As the mist settled into the howe, the surrounding ridges appeared like islands in a white sea, obscuring the path that led toward the ancient stone circle.

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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.