snowplough: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal for the noun; technical/instructional for the skiing term.
Quick answer
What does “snowplough” mean?
A vehicle or device for clearing snow from roads or other surfaces by pushing it aside.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A vehicle or device for clearing snow from roads or other surfaces by pushing it aside.
The verb form meaning to clear snow using such a device. Also, a basic skiing technique (spelled 'snowplow' in US) where the skier angles the front tips of the skis together to slow down or stop.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK spelling: 'snowplough'. US spelling: 'snowplow'. The verb is more common in US English (e.g., 'The streets are being plowed').
Connotations
Both share the core mechanical/utilitarian connotation.
Frequency
Higher frequency in regions with significant snowfall.
Grammar
How to Use “snowplough” in a Sentence
The [authority] snowploughs the [roads] every winter.[Driver] snowploughs [with] a large vehicle.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “snowplough” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council will snowplough the main routes by dawn.
- They haven't snowploughed our lane yet.
American English
- The state plowed the highway overnight.
- My neighbour plowed my driveway as a favour.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The snowplough route was prioritised.
- A snowplough attachment for the tractor.
American English
- The plow truck is on its way.
- The city has a plow schedule online.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Contracts for municipal winter maintenance services.
Academic
In civil engineering or logistics studies on winter infrastructure.
Everyday
Complaining about roads not being cleared after a storm.
Technical
Specifications for vehicle attachments or road maintenance protocols.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “snowplough”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “snowplough”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “snowplough”
- Misspelling: 'snowplow' in UK contexts. Confusing the verb/noun forms: 'We need to snowplough the driveway' (correct) vs 'We need a snowplough the driveway' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern standard English, it is typically written as one solid word: 'snowplough' (UK) / 'snowplow' (US). The hyphenated form 'snow-plough' is dated.
Yes, especially in North American English ('to plow/plough the roads'). In UK English, the verb is used but is less frequent than phrases like 'to clear with a snowplough'.
A snowplough pushes snow to the side. A snow blower (or snow thrower) uses an auger to lift and mechanically throw snow away from the path.
Because the shape made by the skis (tips together, tails apart) resembles the V-shaped blade of a traditional farming plough, and it 'clears' a path by controlling speed.
A vehicle or device for clearing snow from roads or other surfaces by pushing it aside.
Snowplough is usually neutral to formal for the noun; technical/instructional for the skiing term. in register.
Snowplough: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsnəʊplaʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsnoʊplaʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to be] as subtle as a snowplough (humorous, implying bluntness).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PLOUGH that cuts through SNOW: SNOW-PLOUGH. The 'gh' is the same as in the farming tool.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGGRESSION/CLEARING AS PLOWING: 'to plough through work', 'to plough ahead'.
Practice
Quiz
Which spelling is the standard British English form?