plough

[plou]

noun

Chiefly British.

1. plow.

plough

¹

/ plaʊ /

noun

1. an agricultural implement with sharp blades, attached to a horse, tractor, etc, for cutting or turning over the earth

2. any of various similar implements, such as a device for clearing snow

3. a plane with a narrow blade for cutting grooves in wood

4. (in agriculture) ploughed land

5. to begin or undertake a task

verb

1. to till (the soil) with a plough

2. to make (furrows or grooves) in (something) with or as if with a plough

3. to move (through something) in the manner of a plough

   the ship ploughed the water

4. to work at slowly or perseveringly

5. (intr; foll by into or through) (of a vehicle) to run uncontrollably into something in its path

   the plane ploughed into the cottage roof

6. (tr; foll by in, up, under, etc) to turn over (a growing crop, manure, etc) into the earth with a plough

7. slang,  (intr) to fail an examination

Plough

²

/ plaʊ /

noun

1. Usual US name: the Big Dipper. Also known as: Charles's Wain. the group of the seven brightest stars in the constellation Ursa Major

Other Word Forms

• unploughed adjective
• plougher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of plough¹

Old English plōg plough land; related to Old Norse plogr, Old High German pfluoc

Example Sentences

The former Plough Inn in Wigtown was at risk of being turned into flats until local residents stepped in and took it over.

From BBC

Find the Plough and trace a line down from the two stars on the right until you find Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation of Leo.

From BBC

The Cherry Red Records Stadium in Plough Lane was left underwater after large amounts of rain fell in the area on Sunday night and Monday morning, causing extensive damage to the pitch.

From BBC

More than 100,000 litres of water has been pumped out of AFC Wimbledon's flooded Plough Lane home after the "entire stadium" was left under water, says the club's managing director.

From BBC

The Crazy Gang were notorious for such behaviour, especially at their old Plough Lane stadium.

From BBC