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

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

We conclude this column with a rating on the Shovel Meter, a measure of exactly how sedated you might want to be, on a scale of one to five shovel blows to the head, if you’re concerned about Trump’s reelection.

From Slate

We conclude this column with a rating on the Shovel Meter, a measure of exactly how sedated you might want to be, on a scale of one to five shovel blows to the head, if you’re concerned about Trump’s reelection.

From Slate

We were all subject to another unpleasant reminder this week when the Guardian reported that Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation and architect of Project 2025, reportedly bragged to multiple people about beating his neighbor's dog to death with a shovel.

From Salon

The head of a right-wing think tank that authored the Project 2025 agenda for a second Donald Trump presidency has been accused of beating a dog to death with a shovel, The Guardian reported.

From Salon

Related Words

• trowel