# towing

/ˈtoʊɪŋ/ (US) · /tˈəʊɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/towing
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

pulling a vehicle or boat behind another vehicle using a rope or a chain.

For teachers: pulling a vehicle, boat, or trailer behind another vehicle by means of a tow bar, rope, or chain. Present participle of 'tow'.

## Examples

- The truck is towing the broken car to the garage.
- We spent the afternoon towing the boat to the lake so we could go fishing at sunrise.
- The heavy-duty pickup was capable of towing a fully loaded horse trailer across the mountain pass without any noticeable loss of power.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and requires a direct object representing the vehicle or object being pulled.

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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.