What does "tow" mean?

1. (to pull a vehicle) to pull a car, boat, or trailer behind another vehicle using a rope or chain. 2. (the act of pulling) the act of being pulled by another vehicle. 3. (plant fibers) rough, coarse fibers from plants like flax or hemp used to make rope or cloth.

How do you use "tow"?

Often used in the passive voice when a car is removed by authorities. Commonly found in the prepositional phrase 'in tow'. Usually uncountable when referring to the material.

tow

v. · n.

US //ˈtoʊ// UK //tˈəʊ// tow

1 to pull a vehicle (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to pull a car, boat, or trailer behind another vehicle using a rope or chain.

to pull a vehicle or vessel along by means of a rope, chain, or towbar. Transitive; requires a direct object.

Example

The truck had to tow our car to the garage after the engine broke down.

Example

The coast guard dispatched a heavy-duty cutter to tow the disabled freighter back to the safety of the harbor before the storm intensified.

Usage

Often used in the passive voice when a car is removed by authorities.
- push
2 the act of pulling (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act of being pulled by another vehicle.

the act of towing or the state of being towed, often used in the phrase 'in tow'.

Example

The broken-down van was taken away on a tow.

Example

The celebrity arrived at the gala with a massive security detail and several assistants in tow.

Usage

Commonly found in the prepositional phrase 'in tow'.
- traction
- haulage

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3 plant fibers (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical

rough, coarse fibers from plants like flax or hemp used to make rope or cloth.

the coarse and broken fibers of flax, hemp, or jute separated by hackling from the finer strands.

Example

The old rope was made from rough hemp tow.

Example

Historically, tow was utilized for caulking the seams of wooden ships to ensure they remained watertight during long voyages.

Usage

Usually uncountable when referring to the material.
- fiber
- flax