plow / plou/ (Brit. plough) • n. a large farming implement with one or more blades fixed in a frame, drawn by a tractor or by animals and used for cutting furrows in the soil and turning it over, esp. to prepare for the planting of seeds. ∎  a snowplow.• v. [tr.] 1. turn up the earth of (an area of land) with a plow, esp. before sowing: Uncle Vic plowed his garden| [as adj.] (plowed) a plowed field. ∎  cut (a furrow or line) with or as if with a plow: icebergs have plowed furrows on the seabed. ∎  (of a ship or boat) travel through (an area of water): cruise liners plow the long-sailed routes.2. [intr.] (esp. of a vehicle) move in a fast and uncontrolled manner: the car plowed into the side of a van. ∎  advance or progress laboriously or forcibly: they plowed their way through deep snow the students are plowing through a set of grammar exercises. ∎  (plow on) continue steadily despite difficulties or warnings to stop: he plowed on, trying to outline his plans.3. clear snow from (a road) using a snowplow: the roads weren't yet plowed.PHRASES: plow a lonely (or one's own) furrow follow a course of action in which one is isolated or in which one can act independently.put (or set) one's hand to the plow embark on a task.PHRASAL VERBS: plow something in/back plow grass or other material into the soil to enrich it. ∎  invest money in a business or reinvest profits in the enterprise producing them: savings made through greater efficiency will be plowed back into the service.plow under bury in the soil by plowing.plow up till (soil) completely or thoroughly. ∎  uncover by plowing.DERIVATIVES: plow·a·ble adj.plow·er n.