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shovel Definition

shovel (s̸huv′əl)

noun

    1. a tool with a broad, deep scoop or blade and a long handle: used in lifting and moving loose material, as earth, snow, gravel, etc.
    2. any machine equipped with a shovel-like device a steam shovel
  2. shovelful

Etymology: ME schovele < OE scofl < base of scufan: see shove

transitive verb -·eled or -·elled, -·el·ing or -·el·ling

  1. to lift and move with a shovel
  2. to clean or dig out (a path, etc.) with a shovel
  3. to put or throw, in large quantities to shovel food into one's mouth

intransitive verb

to use a shovel

shovel Synonyms

shovel

n.

spade, scoop, trowel, snow shovel. see also tool 1.

Shovels include: coal, snow, fire, miner's, irrigating, split, twisted, pronged, scoop, round-pointed;

shovel Synonyms

shovel

v.

dig, take up, pick up, take up with a shovel, clean out, throw, move, pass, shift, delve, muck*, handle a muck stick*; see also dig 1, load 1.

shovel Usage Examples

Object

  • ballast: I had better take up shoveling ballast for the New track!
  • snow: I don't know, maybe they think we should be out shoveling snow or mowing lawn like they do.
  • coal: There they would shovel the coal out of a railroad wagon into coal bags that we held open for them on the scales.
  • dirt: I shoveled dirt, helped them ride and did whatever I was told.
  • sand: In return for food and " luxuries " the couple must shovel sand all night to stop the village from being swamped in sand.
  • earth: You get the feeling he'd prefer to be out of doors somewhere shoveling earth or cutting wood.

Converse of object

  • grab: My husband and a neighbor grabbed a shovel and a bat, and they were waving them until it took off.
  • carry: These mules are equipped with saddles designed to carry two dozen shovels.
  • use: Use a shovel to move concrete into footing trench.

Adjective modifier

  • wooden: A unique wooden shovel powered by the hoist aids in removing the grain from the kiln floor.
  • mechanical: Depending on extent of material deposited refuse skips or a mechanical shovel may need to be used.

Modifies a noun

  • coal: To get up a good head of steam the poor fireman would need to shovel coal into the firebox for all he was worth!
  • truck: On 16 June 2003 Lee Wells was hit by a shovel truck and suffered a broken leg.
  • hat: Put him in a shovel hat and gaiters and he would pass anywhere for a bishop.
  • pit: Shovel pit testing holes are dug over a grid system which is used for all the survey techniques we are using on the farm.
  • snow: I can drive all over the place, I can go for walks, I can shovel snow.

Noun used with modifier

  • loading: At a photo stop a Caterpillar 990 loading shovel dwarfed the group, there being room for all in the bucket!
  • snow: You did remember a snow shovel, didn't you?
  • steam: Dolls, action figures, doll's houses, dinky cars, small metal dump trucks and steam shovels, ragged stuffed animals.
  • coal: He visited the footplate of " Witherslack Hall " which was in service and even took a turn on the coal shovel.