shovel Definition
shovel (s̸huv′əl)
noun
- 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.
- any machine equipped with a shovel-like device a steam shovel
- shovelful
Etymology: ME schovele < OE scofl < base of scufan: see shove
transitive verb -·eled or -·elled, -·el·ing or -·el·ling
- to lift and move with a shovel
- to clean or dig out (a path, etc.) with a shovel
- to put or throw, in large quantities to shovel food into one's mouth
intransitive verb
to use a shovel
shovel Synonyms
shovel
n.
shovel Synonyms
shovel
v.
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.
Browse dictionary entries near shovel
- ‹ shove off
- ‹ shove
- ‹ shouting
- ‹ shout down
- ‹ shout
- ‹ shouldst
- ‹ shouldn't
- ‹ Shoulder Surf
- ‹ shoulder strap
- ‹ shoulder patch
- shovel hat ›
- shovel-nosed ›
- shoveler ›
- shovelful ›
- shovelhead ›
- shovelnose sturgeon ›
- show ›
- show and tell ›
- show bill ›
- show business ›

