What does sowing mean?
Sowing is the act of putting seeds into the ground, either by scattering them by hand or using a mechanical seeder. The word also has an established figurative meaning: people sow ideas, suspicions, hopes, or conflict by introducing or spreading them. Its past participle is the distinctive form “sown,” so a sentence may read “The farmer sowed the field” or “The field was sown in April.” Sowing is closely associated with agriculture, seasonal work, and expectations of growth, making it useful in both literal and metaphorical writing. In the figurative sense, the verb often suggests that something unwanted or consequential is being introduced gradually, as in “to sow discord.” The word is used in both British and American English and appears in common expressions including “sow seeds,” “sow a field,” and “sow the seeds of change.”
verbTo plant or scatter seeds in soil, or figuratively to introduce or spread a particular belief, feeling, or condition. The past participle is “sown,” and the past tense is “sowed.”
- To plant or scatter seeds in the ground so that they can grow.
- To introduce, spread, or cause something, especially a belief, emotion, rumor, or conflict.
"Farmers sow the fields in spring, hoping for a plentiful harvest."
"She spent the morning sowing rows of lettuce in the garden."
"The speech sowed doubt among the members of the committee."
A handful of scattered seeds can become a field; a few careless words can become a legend.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sowing come from?
The verb comes from Old English sāwan, which was inherited from Proto-Germanic *sēaną. It developed in English into the forms sow, sowed, and sown, with sown serving as the past participle. German säen and Dutch zaaien are cognates reflecting the same Germanic origin.
Related word forms
How sowing is actually used
In its literal agricultural sense, sowing is common in British and American English. Figurative uses such as “sowing discord” are established but often carry a negative implication.
Easily confused with sowing
To sow is to plant or scatter seeds, whereas to sew is to join pieces of fabric or other material with thread.