stow

verb

ˈstō How to pronounce stow (audio)
stowed; stowing; stows
Synonyms of stownext

transitive verb

1
: house, lodge
2
a
: to put away for future use : store
b
obsolete : to lock up for safekeeping : confine
3
a
: to dispose in an orderly fashion : arrange, pack
b
: load
4
slang : to put aside : stop
5
a
archaic : crowd
b
: to eat or drink up
—usually used with away
stowed away a huge dinner

Synonyms of stow

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Examples of stow in a Sentence

He stowed his gear in a locker. Luggage may be stowed under the seat.
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.
With releases like 2023’s SISTERHOOD and 2024’s Amy and Fete de la Vanille, Lucy created a secret pocket reality all their own, like a Nintendo DS stowed under a pillow. — H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026 Travelers must stow the kennel under the seat in front of them during taxi, takeoff, and landing. — Sarah Kuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Oct. 2026 Officers are trained never to rule out the possibility that someone who could kill them is stowed like a spare tire in an unlatched rear compartment. — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 Instead of relying on the convertible dinette to sleep, Wagner will enjoy sleeping on the unit's drop-down bed, which stows near the ceiling over the dinette during the day. — New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stow

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to place, from stowe place, from Old English stōw; akin to Old Frisian stō place, Greek stylos pillar — more at steer

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stow was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing stow

Rhymes for stow

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Browse Nearby Words

stovewood
stow
Stow
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Cite this Entry

“Stow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stow. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stow

verb
ˈstō How to pronounce stow (audio)
1
: to put away : store
stowed their belongings in the closet
2
a
: arrange sense 1, pack
quickly stowed the cargo
b
: load entry 2 sense 1a
stowed the ships to capacity
3
: to eat or drink up
stow away a meal

Geographical Definition

Stow

geographical name

ˈstō How to pronounce Stow (audio)
city in northeastern Ohio northeast of Akron

Biographical Definition

Stow

biographical name

ˈstō How to pronounce Stow (audio)
John 1525–1605 English historian and antiquarian
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