# plow

/ˈpɫaʊ/ (US) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/plow
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a heavy piece of farm equipment with a blade used to turn over soil. Farmers use it to prepare the ground for planting seeds.

For teachers: a large farming implement with one or more blades fixed in a frame, used to turn over soil and cut furrows. Often spelled 'plough' in British English.

## Examples

- The farmer pulled the plow behind his tractor.
- Before the spring planting can begin, the field must be turned over with a heavy plow to aerate the soil.
- The transition from wooden to iron-tipped plows allowed ancient civilizations to cultivate tougher soils, significantly increasing food production and supporting larger urban populations.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The farmer used a plough in New York." but "The farmer used a plow in New York." — While 'plough' is the standard British spelling, 'plow' is the required spelling in American English.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the phrase 'under the plow' to describe land used for farming.

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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.