row3

 
Pronunciation: /raʊ/

noun

chiefly British
  • 1a noisy acrimonious quarrel: they had a row and she stormed out of the house
  • a serious dispute: the director is at the centre of a row over policy decisions
  • informal a severe reprimand: I always got a row if I left food on my plate
  • 2a loud noise or uproar: if he’s at home he must have heard that row

verb

[no object]
  • have a quarrel: they rowed about who would receive the money from the sale she had rowed with her boyfriend the day before
  • [with object] British rebuke severely: she was rowed for leaving her younger brother alone

Phrases

make (or kick up) a row

informal, chiefly British
make a noise or commotion: people who lived near where they met used to complain about the row they made
make a vigorous protest: I was quite comfortable—I kicked up a row out of sheer boredom

Origin:

mid 18th century: of unknown origin