shovel

1 of 2

noun

shov·​el ˈshə-vəl 

1

a

: a hand implement consisting of a broad scoop or a more or less hollowed out blade with a handle used to lift and throw material

b

: something that resembles a shovel

c

: an excavating machine

especially : a hydraulic diesel-engine driven power shovel

2

: shovelful

shovel

2 of 2

verb

shoveled or shovelled; shoveling or shovelling ˈshə-və-liŋ 

ˈshəv-liŋ

transitive verb

1

: to take up and throw with a shovel

2

: to dig or clean out with a shovel

3

: to throw or convey roughly or in a mass as if with a shovel

shoveled his food into his mouth

intransitive verb

: to use a shovel

Synonyms

Verb

• dig
• excavate

Examples of shovel in a Sentence

Verb

He is outside shoveling snow.

I have to shovel the driveway.

I had to shovel for an hour to clear the driveway.

The snow was so deep we had to shovel a path to our front door.

Stop shoveling food into your mouth.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Keep an Emergency Kit Carry essentials like a blanket, flashlight, ice scraper, shovel, sand/salt, water, and non-perishable snacks. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2025

Those intimate shots are interspersed with clips of a dog’s shadow, what appears to be drugs freebasing in a spoon over a flame, a woman in the shovel of a bulldozer, and vintage landscapes and catastrophes. —Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025

Verb

Tracey Avis, business licensing and customer service supervisor for the village of Norridge, told Pioneer Press that the list features individuals willing to shovel snow, mow lawns and/or rake leaves for residents. —Jessi Virtusio, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025

The complaints resemble those from Washington about China’s policy of shoveling money into homegrown companies in defiance of global trade agreements. —Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English scofl; akin to Old High German scūfla shovel, Old English scūfan to thrust away

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing shovel

• pick-and-shovel
• power shovel
• shovel hat
• shovel-nosed
• shovel pass
• shovel-ready
• steam shovel

Kids Definition

shovel

1 of 2 noun

shov·​el ˈshəv-əl 

1

: a broad scoop with a handle used for lifting and throwing loose material (as dirt or snow)

2

: shovelful

shovel

2 of 2 verb

shoveled or shovelled; shoveling or shovelling

ˈshəv-(ə-)liŋ

1

: to lift and throw with a shovel

shovel snow

2

: to dig or clean out with a shovel

shovel out the sheep pens

3

: to throw or carry roughly or in a mass as if with a shovel

stop shoveling the food into your mouth