furrow

1 of 2

noun

fur·​row ˈfər-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce furrow (audio)
ˈfə-(ˌ)rō
1
a
: a trench in the earth made by a plow
b
: plowed land : field
2
: something that resembles the track of a plow: such as
a
: a marked narrow depression : groove
tracing a fingernail along a furrow in the corduroy of her housecoatDouglass Wallop
b
: a deep wrinkle
furrows in his brow

furrow

2 of 2

verb

furrowed; furrowing; furrows

transitive verb

: to make furrows, grooves, wrinkles, or lines in

intransitive verb

: to make or form furrows, grooves, wrinkles, or lines

Examples of furrow in a Sentence

Noun We plowed furrows in the field. When he frowns a deep furrow forms in his brow. Verb His forehead furrows when he frowns. we had to furrow the field before we could plant the wheat
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Brows furrow, lips purse, and side-eyes are flicked — deliciously. Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024 The rows of mountains appeared on the mainland to the north, receding into the mist, and the blue water churned a smoky white as the hull left broad furrows in its wake. Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
His father stood waiting for him with his arms folded and his brow furrowed. John Blake, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024 Above this din—at a small desk inside the Mandala Hotel—Canadian archaeologist Raven Todd DaSilva furrows through a three-ring binder brimming with dividers and loose leaf paper. Joe Sills, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for furrow 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English furgh, forow, from Old English furh; akin to Old High German furuh furrow, Latin porca

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of furrow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near furrow

Cite this Entry

“Furrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/furrow. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

furrow

1 of 2 noun
fur·​row ˈfər-ō How to pronounce furrow (audio)
ˈfə-rō
1
: a trench in the earth made by or as if by a plow
2
: a narrow groove or wrinkle

furrow

2 of 2 verb
: to make furrows, grooves, wrinkles, or lines in

Medical Definition

1
: a marked narrow depression or groove
2
: a deep wrinkle

More from Merriam-Webster on furrow

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