Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

tow1

Syllabification: (tow)
Pronunciation: /tō/
Translate tow | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of tow

verb

[with object]
  • (of a motor vehicle or boat) pull (another vehicle or boat) along with a rope, chain, or tow bar.
  • (of a person) pull (someone or something) along behind one:she saw Frank towing Nicky along by the hand

noun

[in singular]
  • an act of towing a vehicle or boat.
  • a rope or line used to tow a vehicle or boat.

Phrases

in tow

  • 1being towed by another vehicle or boat:his boat was taken in tow by a trawler
  • 2accompanying or following someone:trying to shop with three children in tow is no joke

Derivatives

towable

adjective

Origin:

Old English togian 'draw, drag', of Germanic origin; related to tug. The noun dates from the early 17th century

Do not confuse tow with toe. See toe.

tow in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of tow in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

GET PRO ►

Shop for an Oxford dictionary
Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kəː /
noun
an aggressive or unkempt dog …