shovel

[ shuhv-uhl ]

noun

1. an implement consisting of a broad blade or scoop attached to a long handle, used for taking up, removing, or throwing loose matter, as earth, snow, or coal.
2. any fairly large contrivance or machine with a broad blade or scoop for taking up or removing loose matter:

   a steam shovel.

3. a shovelful.
4. Informal. shovel hat.

verb (used with object)

, shov·eled, shov·el·ing or (especially British) shov·elled, shov·el·ling.

1. to take up and cast or remove with a shovel:

   to shovel coal.

2. to gather up in large quantity roughly or carelessly with or as if with a shovel:

   He shoveled food into his mouth.

3. to dig or clear with or as if with a shovel:

   to shovel a path through the snow.

verb (used without object)

, shov·eled, shov·el·ing or (especially British) shov·elled, shov·el·ling.

1. to work with a shovel.

shovel

/ ˈʃʌvəl /

noun

1. an instrument for lifting or scooping loose material, such as earth, coal, etc, consisting of a curved blade or a scoop attached to a handle
2. any machine or part resembling a shovel in action
3. Also calledshovelful the amount that can be contained in a shovel
4. short for shovel hat

verb

1. to lift (earth, etc) with a shovel
2. tr to clear or dig (a path) with or as if with a shovel
3. tr to gather, load, or unload in a hurried or careless way

   he shovelled the food into his mouth and rushed away

Derived Forms

• ˈshoveller, noun

Other Words From

• un·shoveled adjective
• un·shovelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shovel¹

before 900; Middle English schovel, Old English scofl; cognate with Dutch schoffel hoe; akin to German Schaufel shovel

Word History and Origins

Origin of shovel¹

Old English scofl; related to Old High German scūfla shovel, Dutch schoffel hoe; see shove

Example Sentences

Another video filmed soon after the incident showed an angry pedestrian hitting the SUV with a snow shovel while the driver is still inside.

From BBC

She visited the site of the house on Thursday afternoon for the first time with a shovel in her hand, sifting through the smoldering ashes looking for anything of sentimental interest.

From Los Angeles Times

In Havana, residents used shovels, brooms and buckets to clear rubbish, mud and branches as they assessed the damage on Thursday.

From BBC

As I leave, men with pickaxes and shovels are making slow progress in the rubble and Hussein prepares to erect a tent on what was left of his home.

From BBC

Enumerating all the other reasons not to vote for him — and there are many — would amount to shoveling another 10 pounds of manure into a 5-pound bag.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• trowel