sow

1 of 2

noun

ˈsau̇ 

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

sow

2 of 2

verb

ˈsō 

sowed; sown ˈsōn  or sowed; sowing

intransitive verb

1

: to plant seed for growth especially by scattering

2

: to set something in motion : begin an enterprise

transitive verb

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

Verb

• bestrew
• dot
• pepper
• scatter
• spot
• spray
• sprinkle
• strew

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

Noun

The European Union today has a number of protections for agricultural animals, including the banning of sow stalls for pregnant pigs, intensive confinement of young calves, and barren cages for egg-laying hens. —Miyun Park, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2012

The sow was a draw for tourists visiting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and was regularly followed by dozens of wildlife photographers. —Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 24 Oct. 2024

Verb

The long-lasting falsehoods about the 2020 election, including former President Trump’s persistent claim President Biden stole the last election, has sparked fears that misinformation and disinformation could rapidly spread online and sow distrust in the official electoral process. —Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024

Foreign powers seeking to influence the outcome — Russia, China and Iran — are circulating fake videos on social media aimed at sowing discord and distrust. —April Rubin, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sowe, from Old English sugu; akin to Old English & Old High German sū sow, Latin sus pig, swine, hog, Greek hys

Verb

Middle English, from Old English sāwan; akin to Old High German sāwen to sow, Latin serere, Lithuanian sėti

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

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

Phrases Containing sow

• plant/sow a seed of
• plant/sow the seeds of
• self-sow
• sow bug
• sow one's (wild) oats
• sow thistle

Kids Definition

sow

1 of 2 noun

ˈsau̇ 

: an adult female hog

also : the adult female of various other animals (as a bear)

sow

2 of 2 verb

ˈsō 

sowed; sown ˈsōn  or sowed; sowing

1

a

: to plant seed for growth especially by scattering

b

: plant entry 1 sense 1a

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

sower

ˈsō(-ə)r 

noun