shovel
noun
shov·​el
| \ ˈshə-vəl
\
\
Definition of shovel
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a hand implement consisting of a broad scoop or a more or less hollowed out blade with a handle used to lift and throw material
b
: something that resembles a shovel
c
: an excavating machine
especially
: a hydraulic diesel-engine driven power shovel
2
: shovelful
shovel
verb
shoveled
or shovelled;
shoveling
or shovelling\ ˈshə-​və-​liŋ
, ˈshəv-​liŋ \
, ˈshəv-​liŋ \
Definition of shovel (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to take up and throw with a shovel
2
: to dig or clean out with a shovel
3
: to throw or convey roughly or in a mass as if with a shovel
shoveled his food into his mouth
: to use a shovel
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Examples of shovel in a Sentence
Verb
He is outside shoveling snow. I have to shovel the driveway.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Investigators noted there was a shovel and pick in the backseat of Perez’s car with what appeared to be fresh dirt. — Jacob Beltran, ExpressNews.com, "Affidavit reveals details of events leading to discovery of woman’s body," 2 Aug. 2019 Chinese government spending and subsidies keep the shovels moving. — By Vivienne Walt, Fortune, "Boxed In at the Docks: How a Lifeline From China Changed Greece," 22 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shovel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for shovel
shovel
noun
English Language Learners Definition of shovel
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a tool with a long handle that is used for lifting and throwing dirt, sand, snow, etc.
: the part of a machine (such as a backhoe) that picks up and moves dirt, sand, snow, etc.
shovel
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of shovel (Entry 2 of 2)
: to lift and throw (dirt, sand, snow, etc.) with a shovel
: to remove snow from (a sidewalk, driveway, etc.) with a shovel
: to create (a path) by removing snow with a shovel
See the full definition for shovel in the English Language Learners Dictionary
shovel
noun
shov·​el
| \ ˈshə-vəl
\
\
Kids Definition of shovel
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a tool with a long handle and broad scoop used to lift and throw loose material (as dirt or snow)
2
: as much as a shovel will hold
a shovel of sand
shovel
verb
shoveled
or shovelled;
shoveling
or shovelling