Ask Difference

Plow vs. Plough — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on June 5, 2024
Plow is the American English spelling for an agricultural implement that turns soil, while Plough is the British English spelling for the identical tool.
Plow vs. Plough — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Plow and Plough

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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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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba 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.

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