¹tow

verb \ˈtō\

: to pull (a vehicle) behind another vehicle with a rope or chain

Full Definition of TOW

transitive verb

: to draw or pull along behind : haul <tow a wagon>

intransitive verb

: to move in tow <trailers that tow behind the family auto — Bob Munger>

See tow defined for English-language learners

See tow defined for kids

Origin of TOW

Middle English, from Old English togian; akin to Old English tēon to draw, pull, Old High German ziohan to draw, pull, Latin ducere to draw, lead

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to TOW

Synonyms: drag, draw, hale, haul, lug, pull, tug

Antonyms: drive, propel, push

Rhymes with TOW

beau, blow, bow, bro, Chou, crow, do, doe, dough, floe, flow, foe, fro, froe, glow, go, grow, ho, hoe, jo, Jo, joe, know, lo, low, mho, mot, mow, no, No, O, oh, owe, Poe, pow, pro, rho, roe, row, Rowe, schmo, sew, show, sloe, slow, snow, so, sow, stow, Stowe, strow, though, throe, throw, toe, trow, whoa, woe, yo

²tow

noun

Definition of TOW

: a rope or chain for towing

a : the act or an instance of towing

b : the fact or state of being towed

a : something towed (as a boat or car)

b : a group of barges lashed together and usually pushed

a : something (as a tugboat) that tows

b : ski tow

— in tow

: under guidance or protection <taken in tow by a friendly native>

: accompanying or following usually as an attending or dependent party <not easy shopping with kids in tow>

First Known Use of TOW

1600

³tow

noun

Definition of TOW

: short or broken fiber (as of flax, hemp, or synthetic material) that is used especially for yarn, twine, or stuffing

a : yarn or cloth made of tow

b : a loose essentially untwisted strand of synthetic fibers

Origin of TOW

Middle English, from Old English tow- spinning; akin to Old Norse tō tuft of wool for spinning, Old English tawian to prepare for use — more at taw

First Known Use: 14th century