gang plough: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical/Agricultural
Quick answer
What does “gang plough” mean?
An agricultural implement consisting of multiple ploughshares mounted on a single frame, designed to turn over several parallel furrows simultaneously.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An agricultural implement consisting of multiple ploughshares mounted on a single frame, designed to turn over several parallel furrows simultaneously.
A mechanical device, either horse-drawn or tractor-mounted, used for large-scale, efficient soil preparation. In non-literal use, it can metaphorically refer to a system or team that undertakes large, coordinated work.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, the spelling is typically 'gang plow'. In British English, 'gang plough' is standard.
Connotations
Strongly connotes historical or large-scale traditional farming in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; confined to historical, technical, or agricultural contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “gang plough” in a Sentence
The [noun] used a gang plough.They ploughed the field with a gang plough.A gang plough was attached to the tractor.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gang plough” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The farmer planned to gang-plough the south field before the rains.
American English
- They decided to gang-plow the entire acreage in one pass.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial use]
American English
- [No standard adverbial use]
adjective
British English
- The gang-plough attachment was stored in the barn.
American English
- He searched for gang-plow parts at the antique equipment show.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical or agricultural studies texts discussing farming technology.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary domain of use; appears in agricultural manuals, historical farm equipment catalogues, and museums.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gang plough”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gang plough”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gang plough”
- Using 'gangplough' as one word (should be two words or hyphenated: gang-plough).
- Confusing it with a single plough.
- Using 'gang' in its modern, often criminal sense.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, technical term specific to historical and agricultural contexts.
A gang plough has multiple ploughshares (blades) to cut several furrows at once, while a normal plough typically has just one.
Yes, though rare. It can be used as a hyphenated verb (to gang-plough/gang-plow) meaning to plough using such an implement.
The word 'gang' here comes from its older meaning of 'a set of similar tools arranged to work together', not from the modern meaning of a criminal group.
An agricultural implement consisting of multiple ploughshares mounted on a single frame, designed to turn over several parallel furrows simultaneously.
Gang plough is usually technical/agricultural in register.
Gang plough: in British English it is pronounced /ɡæŋ plaʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡæŋ plaʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no common idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GANG of ploughs working together in a line, like a gang of workers.
Conceptual Metaphor
COORDINATED LABOR IS A GANG (e.g., a gang of workers, a gang saw, a gang plough).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'gang plough' primarily used for?