plough

Everyday

1. A big farm tool, pulled by a tractor or animals, that turns over and breaks up the soil to get it ready for planting. tree →
2. (verb) To turn over soil with a plough. tree →
3. (verb) To move or go forward with force: «the car ploughed into the fence». tree →
4. (verb) To keep going with something hard or boring: «plough through homework». tree →
5. The Plough: a group of seven bright stars (UK name for the Big Dipper). tree →

In the lessons

In history and science, ploughs helped farmers grow more food. In everyday life, a snowplough clears snow from roads. In astronomy, the Plough points to the North Star. Phrases: «plough through», «snowplough», «plough on».

Examples

• The farmer ploughed the field before planting wheat. tree →
• Long ago, horses pulled the plough. tree →
• A snowplough cleared the road. tree →
• I ploughed through my maths homework. tree →
• The car skidded and ploughed into a hedge. tree →
• We found the Plough in the night sky. tree →
• Three brothers are ploughing over there. tree →

Note

UK spelling; US spelling is «plow». Rhymes with «cow», not with «through» or «rough». Past: ploughed.