1
a
: a hand implement consisting of a broad scoop or a more or less hollowed out blade with a handle used to lift and throw material
b
: something that resembles a shovel
c
: an excavating machine
especially
: a hydraulic diesel-engine driven power shovel
2
shoveled or shovelled; shoveling or shovelling
ˈshə-və-liŋ 
ˈshəv-liŋ
1
: to take up and throw with a shovel
2
: to dig or clean out with a shovel
3
: to throw or convey roughly or in a mass as if with a shovel
shoveled his food into his mouth
: to use a shovel
Synonyms
Examples of shovel in a Sentence
Verb
He is outside shoveling snow.
I have to shovel the driveway.
I had to shovel for an hour to clear the driveway.
The snow was so deep we had to shovel a path to our front door.
Stop shoveling food into your mouth.
Recent Examples on the Web
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 6 June 2024
In the clip, the police officer uses a shovel to herd a lengthy python around a yard and keep the reptile from lunging at him.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 3 June 2024
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 15 May 2024
That does not happen without the arrival of the money train on which Clark has shoveled coal.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for shovel 
Noun
Investigators believe White used a shovel to kill Neumeier, Monroe County Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield said.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 6 June 2024
In the clip, the police officer uses a shovel to herd a lengthy python around a yard and keep the reptile from lunging at him.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 3 June 2024
Verb
There’s a valid reason some people call Buffalo the armpit of America, and on a semiannual basis we’re provided images of town folk shoveling the stadium out before, during, or after a snowstorm, which from time to time complicates the NFL schedule.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 15 May 2024
That does not happen without the arrival of the money train on which Clark has shoveled coal.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for shovel
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shovel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near shovel
Cite this Entry
“Shovel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shovel. Accessed 11 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shovel
2 of 2 verb
shoveled or shovelled; shoveling or shovelling
ˈshəv-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to lift and throw with a shovel
shovel snow
2
: to dig or clean out with a shovel
shovel out the sheep pens
3
: to throw or carry roughly or in a mass as if with a shovel
stop shoveling the food into your mouth
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