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tow

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /toʊ/ · UK /təʊ/

Forms: towing, towed

tow means: To pull a car, boat, or other large object using another vehicle and a rope or chain.

verb

PULL VEHICLEB1

To pull a car, boat, or other large object using another vehicle and a rope or chain.

  • Can your car tow this trailer?
  • A truck towed us to the nearest garage.
  • They used a rope to tow the boat ashore.

How to use it: tow something to somewhere (The truck towed our car to the garage.)

Similar words: pull, haul

Common phrases: tow a car, tow a boat, tow someone home

PULL BEHINDB2

To pull a vehicle or boat behind another vehicle or boat using a rope or other connection.

  • The truck towed our car.
  • Can your car tow this trailer?
  • They are towing the boat back to shore.

Similar words: pull, haul

Common phrases: tow a car, tow a boat, tow something away

noun

PULLING A VEHICLEB2

An act of pulling a vehicle or boat behind another one, usually because it cannot move itself.

  • Our car needs a tow.
  • A passing boat gave us a tow.
  • We arranged a tow to the nearest garage.

Common phrases: need a tow, get a tow, give someone a tow

Questions about tow

What does tow mean?

To pull a car, boat, or other large object using another vehicle and a rope or chain.

What is tow in other languages?

Türkçe: çekmek · Español: remolcar · Français: remorquer · Deutsch: abschleppen · Italiano: rimorchiare · 日本語: 牽引する

How do you pronounce tow?

In American English /toʊ/; in British English /təʊ/.

How do you use tow in a sentence?

Can your car tow this trailer? A truck towed us to the nearest garage.

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