What is the difference between a disc harrow and a plough?

A plough is for primary tillage, turning over and burying soil and residue to a significant depth. A disc harrow is for secondary tillage, working the already-ploughed soil to break clods, level the surface, and prepare a fine seedbed.

Can 'disc' be spelled as 'disk'?

Yes, 'disk' is a common variant in American English, especially in informal technical contexts, but 'disc' remains the standard spelling for the agricultural implement in official and most published materials.

Is 'to disc harrow' a correct verb form?

Yes, though it's industry-specific jargon. More commonly, the verb 'to disc' or 'to disk' (AmE) is used, as in 'The farmer disced the field.' The full phrase 'to disc harrow' is also understood.

Would a non-farmer be expected to know this term?

No. It is a highly technical term limited to agriculture, machinery, and related historical or academic contexts. Most general English speakers would not know it unless they have a specific connection to farming.

Is “disc harrow” formal?

Disc harrow is usually technical / agricultural in register.

How do you pronounce “disc harrow”?

Disc harrow: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪsk ˈhærəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪsk ˈhæroʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

disc harrow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low

UK/ˌdɪsk ˈhærəʊ/US/ˌdɪsk ˈhæroʊ/

Technical / Agricultural

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “disc harrow” mean?

A farm implement with a row of concave metal discs used to break up and smooth soil after ploughing.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A farm implement with a row of concave metal discs used to break up and smooth soil after ploughing.

An agricultural tool for preparing seedbeds by cutting through crop residue, breaking up clods, and levelling the soil. The term can also refer more generally to any similar mechanism using rotating discs for soil cultivation.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Primarily spelling variation for 'disc/disk'. In British English 'disc' is more standard for agricultural tools, while 'disk' is sometimes used in American English, though 'disc harrow' remains common. No difference in referent.

Connotations

The term is purely technical and agricultural in both varieties with no particular cultural connotations.

Frequency

Equally low-frequency in both varieties, used almost exclusively within farming, agricultural machinery, and related technical contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “disc harrow” in a Sentence

NP use a disc harrow (to VP)NP attach the disc harrow to NPThe disc harrow breaks up NPNP pulls a disc harrow across NP

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

to pull a disc harrowto hook up the disc harrowa heavy disc harrowan offset disc harrowa tandem disc harrowa mounted disc harrowto adjust the disc harrow

medium

disc harrow bladesdisc harrow partsdisc harrow for saleto use a disc harrowto operate a disc harrowthe disc harrow is attached

weak

new disc harrowold disc harrowlarge disc harrowsmall disc harrowagricultural disc harrow

Examples

Examples of “disc harrow” in a Sentence

verb

British English

We need to disc harrow that field before sowing.
The contractor is coming to disc harrow the stubble.

American English

We need to disk harrow that field before planting.
The farmer is disking the harrowed ground a second time.

adverb

British English

Not applicable as the term does not function as an adverb.

American English

Not applicable as the term does not function as an adverb.

adjective

British English

The disc-harrow attachment is in the barn.
We watched a disc-harrow demonstration.

American English

The disk-harrow blades need sharpening.
He purchased a used disk-harrow unit.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare, used only in the context of agricultural supply or machinery sales.

Academic

Used in agricultural science, engineering, and historical studies of farming technology.

Everyday

Virtually unknown outside of farming communities.

Technical

The primary domain. Specific descriptions of types (offset, tandem), settings (gang angle, disc spacing), and functions (seedbed preparation, residue management) are common.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “disc harrow”

Strong

disc plow (AmE) / disc plough (BrE) (though technically a different primary tillage tool, often conflated)

Neutral

disc cultivatoroffset disctandem disc

Weak

tillercultivator (broader category)

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “disc harrow”

spike-tooth harrowspring-tooth harrowroller

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “disc harrow”

Misspelling as 'disk harrow' (acceptable in AmE, but 'disc' is standard).
Using 'harrow' as a verb when referring to the action of a disc harrow (correct: 'to disc' or 'to disk').
Pronouncing 'harrow' with a silent 'h' (/'ærəʊ/) is incorrect; the /h/ is pronounced.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: A plough is for primary tillage, turning over and burying soil and residue to a significant depth. A disc harrow is for secondary tillage, working the already-ploughed soil to break clods, level the surface, and prepare a fine seedbed.
: Yes, 'disk' is a common variant in American English, especially in informal technical contexts, but 'disc' remains the standard spelling for the agricultural implement in official and most published materials.
: Yes, though it's industry-specific jargon. More commonly, the verb 'to disc' or 'to disk' (AmE) is used, as in 'The farmer disced the field.' The full phrase 'to disc harrow' is also understood.
: No. It is a highly technical term limited to agriculture, machinery, and related historical or academic contexts. Most general English speakers would not know it unless they have a specific connection to farming.
: A farm implement with a row of concave metal discs used to break up and smooth soil after ploughing.
: Disc harrow is usually technical / agricultural in register.
: Disc harrow: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪsk ˈhærəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪsk ˈhæroʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“none”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a HARROW that uses sharp, spinning DISCS like a giant, ground-level food processor for soil.

Conceptual Metaphor

A tool is a cutter; the soil is a surface to be sliced and smoothed.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After the initial ploughing, the farmer attached the to level the field and incorporate the remaining stalks.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary function of a disc harrow?