stow

¹

[ stoh ]

verb (used with object)

1. Nautical.
   1. to put (cargo, provisions, etc.) in the places intended for them.
   2. to put (sails, spars, gear, etc.) in the proper place or condition when not in use.
2. to put in a place or receptacle, as for storage or reserve; pack:

   He stowed the potatoes in our cellar.

3. to fill (a place or receptacle) by packing:

   to stow a carton with books.

4. to have or afford room for; hold.
5. Slang. to stop; break off:

   Stow it! Stow the talk!

6. to put away, as in a safe or convenient place (often followed by away ).
7. to lodge or quarter.

verb phrase

1. to conceal oneself aboard a ship or other conveyance in order to obtain free transportation or to elude pursuers.

Stow

²

[ stoh ]

noun

1. a city in NE Ohio.

Stow

¹

/ stəʊ /

noun

1. StowJohn15251605MEnglishARTS AND CRAFTS: antiquarian John. 1525–1605, English antiquary, noted for his Survey of London and Westminster (1598; 1603)

stow

²

/ stəʊ /

verb

1. often foll by away to pack or store
2. to fill by packing
3. nautical to pack or put away (cargo, sails and other gear, etc)
4. to have enough room for
5. slang.
   usually imperative to cease from

   stow it!

   stow your noise!

Other Words From

• stowa·ble adjective
• re·stow verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of stow¹

1300–50; Middle English stowen, Old English stōwigan to keep, hold back (literally, to place), derivative of stōw place; akin to Old Norse eldstō fireplace, Gothic stojan to judge (literally, to place)

Word History and Origins

Origin of stow¹

Old English stōwian to keep, hold back, from stōw a place; related to Old High German stouwen to accuse, Gothic stōjan to judge, Old Slavonic staviti to place

Example Sentences

The gift suggestions here all have two things in common: They’re small enough to stow in a stocking, and they give off serious big California energy.

From Los Angeles Times

This travel umbrella, which comes in a matching case, is small enough to stow in the car en route to an Academy Awards party.

From Los Angeles Times

Flights do not include "trolley bags" to stow in overhead compartments or checked baggage.

From BBC

At East 16th Street near the Butte Street Junction, the site of Tuesday’s announcement, police on Monday shut down a wire-stripping group that would use the alleyway as a site for stowing the stolen material.

From Los Angeles Times

The bricks are then encapsulated in film which, in addition to the low moisture of the materials inside, prevent the bricks from rotting and keep the greenhouse gases stowed away.

From Salon

Related Words

• put away
• secrete
• stash
• tuck