Plow vs. Plough — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
Plow is the American English spelling for an agricultural implement that turns soil, while Plough is the British English spelling for the identical tool.
Difference Between Plow and Plough
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The primary difference between "plow" and "plough" is the variation in spelling between American and British English. The plow, commonly used in American English, refers to the agricultural implement used to cut into and turn over the soil, especially before sowing. The plough, the British English counterpart, serves the same purpose and is used in the same context, just with a different spelling.
When it comes to pronunciation, both "plow" and "plough" are pronounced the same way, despite the difference in spelling. The plow is recognized by American English speakers and is the preferred spelling in American literature and farming manuals. On the other hand, the plough is embraced by speakers of British English and is commonly found in British texts.
Historically, the spelling "plough" is the older of the two and reflects the tool's long history in farming societies. The modern spelling "plow" reflects a simplification of the word that has become standardized in American English. Both plow and plough are used in metaphorical senses as well, symbolizing hard, rigorous work or the act of making one's way through a difficult task.
In technical manuals and literature, you will find "plow" used in American publications, whereas "plough" will be used in British publications. This reflects the broader differences in the American and British English lexicon, where numerous words have variant spellings. Despite this, plow and plough refer to the same piece of farming equipment, with no distinction in function or design.
In the digital age, the word "plow" is also used in technology, such as in "snowplow" for software that clears unwanted data from networks. "Plough" retains its agricultural association and is less commonly used in new technological metaphors. Regardless, when an American reads "plough" or a Briton reads "plow," both understand it as referring to the tool used for preparing the land for cultivation.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling
American English spelling.
British English spelling.
Usage
Used in American publications and dialog.
Used in British publications and dialog.
Pronunciation
Pronounced as /plaʊ/.
Pronounced the same as plow, /plaʊ/.
Etymology
Modern spelling in American English.
Traditional spelling in British English.
Metaphorical Use
Used metaphorically in American texts.
Similarly used in British texts.
Compare with Definitions
Plow
An agricultural implement used for cutting and turning over soil.
The farmer used a plow to prepare the fields for planting.
Plough
A farm tool used to turn over the earth.
The old tractor pulled the plough steadily across the field.
Plow
To invest a lot of effort into work.
She had to plow through a mountain of paperwork.
Plough
To proceed with difficulty.
The legislation ploughed through numerous debates before being passed.
Plow
To advance with laborious movement.
He plowed ahead despite the difficulties.
Plough
To create a way through (a group of people).
He ploughed a path through the crowded market.
Plow
A farm implement consisting of a strong blade at the end of a beam, usually hitched to a draft team or motor vehicle and used for breaking up soil and cutting furrows in preparation for sowing.
Plough
A plough or plow (US; both ) is a farm tool for loosening or turning the soil before sowing seed or planting. Ploughs were traditionally drawn by oxen and horses, but in modern farms are drawn by tractors.
Plow
An implement or machine designed to move earth, snow, or other material by means of a strong blade.
Plough
A farm implement consisting of a strong blade at the end of a beam, usually hitched to a draft team or motor vehicle and used for breaking up soil and cutting furrows in preparation for sowing.
Plow
Plow See Big Dipper.
Plough
An implement or machine designed to move earth, snow, or other material by means of a strong blade.
Plow
To break and turn over (earth) with a plow.
Plough
Plow See Big Dipper.
Plow
To form (a furrow, for example) with a plow.
Plough
To break and turn over (earth) with a plow.
Plow
To form furrows in with a plow
Plow a field.
Plough
To form (a furrow, for example) with a plow.
Plow
To form wrinkles or creases in
His forehead was plowed with lines of stress.
Plough
To form furrows in with a plow
Plow a field.
Plow
To move or clear (snow, for example) by means of a plow.
Plough
To form wrinkles or creases in
His forehead was plowed with lines of stress.
Plow
To clear (an area) of snow or other material by means of a plow.
Plough
To move or clear (snow, for example) by means of a plow.
Plow
To make or form with driving force
I plowed my way through the crowd.
Plough
To clear (an area) of snow or other material by means of a plow.
Plow
To progress through (water)
Plow the high seas.
Plough
To make or form with driving force
I plowed my way through the crowd.
Plow
Vulgar Slang To have intercourse with (another). Used of a man.
Plough
To progress through (water)
Plow the high seas.
Plow
To break and turn up earth with a plow.
Plough
Vulgar Slang To have intercourse with (another). Used of a man.
Plow
To move or clear material such as snow with a plow.
Plough
To break and turn up earth with a plow.
Plow
To admit of plowing
Rocky earth plows poorly.
Plough
To move or clear material such as snow with a plow.
Plow
To move or progress with driving force
The ball carrier plowed through the defensive line.
Plough
To admit of plowing
Rocky earth plows poorly.
Plow
To proceed laboriously; plod
Plowed through the backlog of work.
Plough
To move or progress with driving force
The ball carrier plowed through the defensive line.
Plow
(American spelling) plough
Plough
To proceed laboriously; plod
Plowed through the backlog of work.
Plow
(American spelling) plough
Trucks plowed through the water to ferry flood victims to safety.
Plough
A device pulled through the ground in order to break it open into furrows for planting.
The horse-drawn plough had a tremendous impact on agriculture.
Plow
A well-known implement, drawn by horses, mules, oxen, or other power, for turning up the soil to prepare it for bearing crops; also used to furrow or break up the soil for other purposes; as, the subsoil plow; the draining plow.
Where fern succeeds ungrateful to the plow.
Plough
The use of a plough; tillage.
Plow
Fig.: Agriculture; husbandry.
Plough
Alt form|en|Plough}} ({{synonym of Ursa Major)
Plow
A carucate of land; a plowland.
Johan, mine eldest son, shall have plowes five.
Plough
Alternative form of ploughland, an alternative name for a carucate or hide.
Plow
A joiner's plane for making grooves; a grooving plane.
Plough
A joiner's plane for making grooves.
Plow
An implement for trimming or shaving off the edges of books.
Plough
A bookbinder's implement for trimming or shaving off the edges of books.
Plow
Same as Charles's Wain.
Plough
(yoga) A yoga pose resembling a traditional plough, halāsana.
Plow
To turn up, break up, or trench, with a plow; to till with, or as with, a plow; as, to plow the ground; to plow a field.
Plough
(transitive) To use a plough on soil to prepare for planting.
I've still got to plough that field.
Plow
To furrow; to make furrows, grooves, or ridges in; to run through, as in sailing.
Let patient Octavia plow thy visage upWith her prepared nails.
With speed we plow the watery way.
Plough
(intransitive) To use a plough.
Some days I have to plough from sunrise to sunset.
Plow
To cut a groove in, as in a plank, or the edge of a board; especially, a rectangular groove to receive the end of a shelf or tread, the edge of a panel, a tongue, etc.
Plough
To move with force.
Trucks ploughed through the water to ferry flood victims to safety.
Plow
To labor with, or as with, a plow; to till or turn up the soil with a plow; to prepare the soil or bed for anything.
Doth the plowman plow all day to sow ?
Plough
To furrow; to make furrows, grooves, or ridges in.
Plow
A farm tool having one or more heavy blades to break the soil and cut a furrow prior to sowing
Plough
(nautical) To run through, as in sailing.
Plow
To break and turn over earth especially with a plow;
Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week
Turn the earth in the Spring
Plough
(bookbinding) To trim, or shave off the edges of, as a book or paper, with a plough.
Plow
Deal with verbally or in some form of artistic expression;
This book deals with incest
The course covered all of Western Civilization
The new book treats the history of China
Plough
(joinery) To cut a groove in, as in a plank, or the edge of a board; especially, a rectangular groove to receive the end of a shelf or tread, the edge of a panel, a tongue, etc.
Plow
Move in a way resembling that of a plow cutting into or going through the soil;
The ship plowed through the water
Plough
To fail (a student).
Plow
To move in a fast and uncontrolled manner.
The truck plowed through the snow-covered streets.
Plough
To have sex with, penetrate.
Plow
To cut (a furrow or path) with or as if with a plow.
The pioneers plowed a trail across the plains.
Plough
See Plow.
Plough
A group of seven bright stars in the constellation Ursa Major
Plough
A farm tool having one or more heavy blades to break the soil and cut a furrow prior to sowing
Plough
Move in a way resembling that of a plow cutting into or going through the soil;
The ship plowed through the water
Plough
To break and turn over earth especially with a plow;
Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week
Turn the earth in the Spring
Plough
To move forcefully and steadily through something.
The rugby player ploughed through his opponents.
Plough
To work hard over a period of time.
She ploughed through the revision for her exams.
Common Curiosities
Is the function of a plow different from a plough?
No, the function of a plow and plough is identical; they are just different spellings.
How do you pronounce plough?
Plough is pronounced the same as plow, /plaʊ/.
Are plow and plough spelled differently in different English-speaking countries?
Yes, "plow" is American English, and "plough" is British English.
Is the plow used for snow removal as well as farming?
Yes, "plow" is also used in the context of snow removal.
Is the plough still used in modern British farming?
Yes, the plough is still a vital part of modern British farming.
Did plow and plough come from the same etymological origin?
Yes, both words share the same etymological roots.
Is the historical spelling of the farming tool always plough?
Yes, historically in English, "plough" was the common spelling.
Are there any computer programs named after plow or plough?
"Plow" has been used in names of software like "Snowplow" for data processing.
What does plow mean?
Plow is the American English term for a farming tool used to turn over soil.
What does plough mean?
Plough is the British English term for the same tool that turns over soil on a farm.
Can plow and plough be used interchangeably?
In the context of American and British audiences, they are not usually interchangeable due to regional spelling preferences.
Are there any phrases or idioms that use plow or plough?
Yes, phrases like "plow back into" and "plough on" use these words metaphorically.
In literature, do writers choose plow or plough based on their audience?
Yes, writers often choose based on the version of English their audience uses.
Do plow and plough have the same plural forms?
"plows" in American English and "ploughs" in British English.
Will Americans understand what a plough is?
Yes, Americans will understand "plough" as it refers to the same tool as "plow."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
