1
: an adult female swine
also
: the adult female of various other animals (such as a bear)
2
a
: a channel that conducts molten metal to molds
b
: a mass of metal solidified in such a mold : ingot
sowed; sown
ˈsōn 
or sowed; sowing
or sowed; sowing
1
: to plant seed for growth especially by scattering
2
: to set something in motion : begin an enterprise
1
a
: to scatter (seed) upon the earth for growth
broadly
: plant sense 1a
b
: to strew with or as if with seed
c
: to introduce into a selected environment : implant
2
: to set in motion : foment
sow suspicion
3
: to spread abroad : disperse
Examples of sow in a Sentence
Verb
Every year we sow corn.
Farmers sowed the fields with corn.
We'll sow in the early spring.
Recent Examples on the Web
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 18 May 2025
Already this year Montana has recorded at least two conflicts between grizzlies and humans, including a shed hunter who shot and killed a charging sow in self defense.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2025
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 June 2025
Although legal experts expect that the Supreme Court will ultimately decide the legality of the tariffs, rulings from different intermediate courts in the meantime could further sow confusion.
—Dietrich Knauth, USA Today, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sow
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Noun
Breeding young sows to have one litter of pigs to lower income tax liability took more real resources of feed, labor and facilities per pound of pork available to households.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 18 May 2025
Already this year Montana has recorded at least two conflicts between grizzlies and humans, including a shed hunter who shot and killed a charging sow in self defense.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2025
Verb
Jensen was talking a day after Banijay Entertainment CEO Marco Bassetti sowed some market confusion around Banijay’s interest in ITV Studios.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 June 2025
Although legal experts expect that the Supreme Court will ultimately decide the legality of the tariffs, rulings from different intermediate courts in the meantime could further sow confusion.
—Dietrich Knauth, USA Today, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sow
Cite this Entry
“Sow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sow. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sow
1 of 2 noun
: an adult female hog
also
: the adult female of various other animals (as a bear)
sow
2 of 2 verb
sowed; sown
ˈsōn
or sowed; sowing
or sowed; sowing
1
a
: to plant seed for growth especially by scattering
c
: to scatter with or as if with seed
d
: to put into a selected environment : distribute
2
: to set in motion : foment
sowing the seeds of suspicion
3
: to spread over a wide area : disperse, disseminate
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