1
a
: a woman who has lost her spouse or partner by death and usually has not remarried
c
: a woman whose spouse or partner leaves her alone or ignores her frequently or for long periods to engage in a usually specified activity
a golf widow
a video game widow
2
: an extra hand or part of a hand of cards dealt face down and usually placed at the disposal of the highest bidder
3
: a single usually short last line (as of a paragraph) separated from its related text and appearing at the top of a printed page or column
widowed; widowing; widows
1
: to cause to become a widow or widower
2
obsolete
: to survive as the widow of
3
: to deprive of something greatly valued or needed
Examples of widow in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Many of Shostakovich’s relatives and friends, including his widow, Irina, accused Volkov of fabrication.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Joe Otterson, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Watch on Deadline Dynevor will play Du Maurier, Thurman the housekeeper and Hopkins the wealthy and widowed Lord DeWithers.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for widow 
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
Joyce June, Dennis’ widow and her cousin, Bruce McGee, used to run the hills around Keams Canyon.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Many of Shostakovich’s relatives and friends, including his widow, Irina, accused Volkov of fabrication.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Malcolm’s a minister and recently widowed dad of three.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Watch on Deadline Dynevor will play Du Maurier, Thurman the housekeeper and Hopkins the wealthy and widowed Lord DeWithers.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for widow
Dictionary Entries Near widow
Cite this Entry
“Widow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widow. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
widow
2 of 2 verb
: to cause to become a widow or widower
widowed by war
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share