shovelful

[ shuhv-uhl-fool ]

noun

, plural shov·el·fuls.

1. the amount held by a shovel.

Spelling Note

See -ful.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shovelful¹

First recorded in 1525–35; shovel + -ful

Example Sentences

“There is a very discouraging sense that all of this stuff is further putting another shovelful of cynicism on the grave of the American experiment,” Thompson continued.

From Los Angeles Times

Kneeling on the hard winter ground, the son cried again as shovelfuls of earth were thrown into the grave.

From Seattle Times

Michael Beale asked his side to give themselves a platform for the second leg in the Netherlands and, although they lacked refinement at times, shovelfuls of endeavour kept them in the tie.

From BBC

In almost all cases, it came down to inadequate thought and planning before the first shovelful of dirt was turned.

From Seattle Times

The yellow-vested teams work in areas slated for construction, carefully digging 10 feet or more into hard alluvial soil and pushing shovelfuls of dirt through course-mesh screens to gather the smallest pieces of evidence.

From Los Angeles Times