shovel

Everyday

1. (noun) A tool with a long handle and a wide, slightly curved blade for lifting and moving earth, snow, sand or coal. tree →
2. (verb) To lift and move something with a shovel: shovel snow. tree →
3. (verb, informal) To put a lot of something somewhere quickly and roughly: "He shovelled food into his mouth." tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life people shovel snow from paths (very common in Canada and the northern USA), dig gardens and fill wheelbarrows. In stories "shovelled food into his mouth" shows someone eating greedily or fast. In history, workers shovelled coal into steam trains. Phrases: shovel snow, a snow shovel, shovel it in.

Examples

• Dad used a shovel to clear the snow from the drive. tree →
• We shovelled sand into the bucket. tree →
• The builder picked up a shovel and started digging. tree →
• He shovelled his dinner into his mouth and ran out to play. tree →
• In old steam trains, the fireman shovelled coal into the fire. tree →
• Bring a shovel and a bucket to the beach. tree →
• "Come here and sit on this shovel!" tree →

Note

UK spelling: shovelled, shovelling; US spelling: shoveled, shoveling. A shovel has a wider, scoop-shaped blade; a spade has a flatter blade for digging, but people often mix the two words up. In Australia "shovel" is the common word for both.

In Jewish tradition

In everyday life people shovel snow from paths (very common in Canada and the northern USA), dig gardens and fill wheelbarrows. In stories "shovelled food into his mouth" shows someone eating greedily or fast. In history, workers shovelled coal into steam trains. Phrases: shovel snow, a snow shovel, shovel it in.

Examples

• And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basins, the flesh-hooks, and the fire-pans; all the vessels thereof made he of brass. (Torah EXO.38.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• And thou shalt make its pots to take away its ashes, and its shovels, and its basins, and its flesh-hooks, and its fire-pans; all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass. (Torah EXO.27.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Hiram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basins. (Prophets 1KI.7.40, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basins. (Writings 2CH.4.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the pans, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away. (Prophets 2KI.25.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

UK spelling: shovelled, shovelling; US spelling: shoveled, shoveling. A shovel has a wider, scoop-shaped blade; a spade has a flatter blade for digging, but people often mix the two words up. In Australia "shovel" is the common word for both.