1
: an adult female swine
also
: the adult female of various other animals (such as a bear)
2
a
: a channel that conducts molten metal to molds
b
: a mass of metal solidified in such a mold : ingot
sowed; sown
ˈsōn 
or sowed; sowing
or sowed; sowing
1
: to plant seed for growth especially by scattering
2
: to set something in motion : begin an enterprise
1
a
: to scatter (seed) upon the earth for growth
broadly
: plant sense 1a
b
: to strew with or as if with seed
c
: to introduce into a selected environment : implant
2
: to set in motion : foment
sow suspicion
3
: to spread abroad : disperse
Synonyms
Examples of sow in a Sentence
Verb
Every year we sow corn.
Farmers sowed the fields with corn.
We'll sow in the early spring.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 9 May 2024
Because 2023 was a banner year for natural bear forage across the Northland, it’s expected more bear sows will have more bear cubs, and those bear groups will be out searching for food this spring and all summer.
—John Myers, Twin Cities, 7 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for sow 
Noun
Campbell was hiking on a trail near his home in Cochrane, Alberta, on May 2 when a sow grizzly charged him.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 9 May 2024
Because 2023 was a banner year for natural bear forage across the Northland, it’s expected more bear sows will have more bear cubs, and those bear groups will be out searching for food this spring and all summer.
—John Myers, Twin Cities, 7 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for sow
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sow
Cite this Entry
“Sow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sow. Accessed 18 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sow
1 of 2 noun
: an adult female hog
also
: the adult female of various other animals (as a bear)
sow
2 of 2 verb
sowed; sown
ˈsōn
or sowed; sowing
or sowed; sowing
1
a
: to plant seed for growth especially by scattering
c
: to scatter with or as if with seed
d
: to put into a selected environment : distribute
2
: to set in motion : foment
sowing the seeds of suspicion
3
: to spread over a wide area : disperse, disseminate
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