What does tow mean?
Tow is a verb and noun associated with pulling or hauling something along. As a verb, it usually means to pull a boat, vehicle, trailer, or other load behind another vehicle, often using a rope, chain, or towing device. The noun tow can refer to the act of towing, as in the expression in tow, or to a rope or line used for towing. In older and more specialized contexts, tow also means flax or hemp fiber prepared for spinning. The word appears regularly in practical expressions such as tow away and tow truck, and in descriptions of maritime transport and vehicle recovery. Its basic sense is straightforward: one thing draws or pulls another along. Although tow can sound like toe, the two words have entirely different meanings. The verb is common in British and American English, while the fiber sense is mainly encountered in textile, historical, or literary material.
To pull, drag, or haul something along behind one, especially by means of a rope, chain, or vehicle.
"The tractor towed the broken machinery to the barn."
Used transitively for the object being pulled and commonly associated with vehicles, boats, trailers, and loads.
The act of towing or a rope or line used for towing; in older and technical usage, tow also means fibers of flax or hemp prepared for spinning.
"The damaged launch was taken in tow by the fishing boat."
The senses meaning an act of towing and a towing line are standard but less frequent than the verb. The textile sense is specialized or archaic.
The plural is uncommon; the noun is normally used in singular constructions such as in tow or with a determiner.
"The two tows took place on opposite sides of the harbor."
From pulling a boat with a rope to hauling a stranded car, tow has spent centuries helping things get where they need to go.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tow come from?
The verb comes from Middle English touen, continuing Old English tugan, meaning to pull or drag. It belongs to a Germanic family of words associated with pulling, reflected in related English forms such as tug and in cognates including German ziehen and Dutch trekken. The noun meaning an act of towing or a towing line developed from the verb, while the separate textile sense refers to prepared flax or hemp fiber.
Related word forms
How tow is actually used
Tow is neutral in register and is used in both British and American English. The verb often occurs with vehicles, boats, trailers, and other objects that are pulled behind another vehicle. The noun in the sense of towing line is less common in everyday speech, while the textile sense is specialized or archaic.
Easily confused with tow
A toe is a digit at the end of the foot, whereas tow means to pull something along or to refer to a towing operation or line.