bowed; bowing; bows
1
2
: to bend the head, body, or knee in reverence, submission, or shame
Bow before the king.
bowed her head in shame
3
: to incline the head or body in salutation or assent or to acknowledge applause
bowing to the audience
4
: debut
the play will bow next month
1
: to cause to incline
wind bowing the treetops
2
: to incline especially in respect or submission
bow their heads in prayer
3
: to crush with a heavy burden
whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave Shakespeare
4
a
: to express by bending the head, body, or knee : to express by bowing
bowing his appreciation
b
: to usher in or out with a bow (see bow entry 2)
: a bending of the head or body in respect, submission, assent, or salutation
also
: a show of respect or submission
smiled and gave a bow
1
a
: something bent into a simple curve or arc
b
: rainbow
2
: a weapon that is used to propel an arrow and that is made of a strip of flexible material (such as wood) with a cord connecting the two ends and holding the strip bent
hunting with bow and arrow
3
: archer
4
a
: a metal ring or loop forming a handle (as of a key)
b
: a knot formed by doubling a ribbon or string into two or more loops
c
d
: a frame for the lenses of eyeglasses
also
: the sidepiece of the frame passing over the ear
5
music
a
: a wooden rod with horsehairs stretched from end to end used in playing an instrument of the viol or violin family
b
: a stroke of such a bow
on the up bow
bowed; bowing; bows
1
: to bend into a curve
the wall bows a little
2
music
: to play a stringed instrument with a bow (see bow entry 3 sense 5a)
1
: to cause to bend into a curve
Years of riding had bowed his legs.
2
music
: to play (a stringed instrument) with a bow
bowing the strings
1
nautical
: the forward part of a ship
—often used in plural
crossing the bows
2
nautical
: bowman entry 2
Examples of bow in a Sentence
Verb (1)
finally bowed to the judge's insistence that she change her outfit
bowed to the craving for fresh coffee
Noun (2)
her full lips form a pair of perfect bows
Verb (2)
the river bows gently to the north before it reaches the sea
you'll have to gently bow the strip of wood in order to fit it in
Recent Examples on the Web
Justin Kroll, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Guests entered the room, approached the president by the fireplace, and bowed as an aide announced their names.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
Choose between five jolly patterns, including this adorable stationery-esque bow and Christmas tree option (pictured).
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bow
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.
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Verb
Following her latest pic Christy bowing at AFI Fest last week, Sydney Sweeney is looking to deliver another knockout punch with an upcoming film, and partnering with an A-list director to help deliver the blow.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Guests entered the room, approached the president by the fireplace, and bowed as an aide announced their names.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
Some gifts come wrapped in ribbon or a bow, but for Pam Brodsky, the latest birthday present from her son included Champagne, mimosas, and hot towels.
—Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
Choose between five jolly patterns, including this adorable stationery-esque bow and Christmas tree option (pictured).
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bow
Cite this Entry
“Bow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bow. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bow
1 of 5 verb1
: to bend the head, body, or knee in greeting, respect, agreement, or obedience
2
: yield entry 1 sense 5
bow to authority
3
: bend entry 1 sense 6
bowed with age
4
: to express by bowing
bow one's thanks
bow
2 of 5 noun
: a bending of the head or body expressing respect, agreement, obedience, or greeting
bow
3 of 5 noun1
: rainbow
2
: a weapon used for shooting arrows that is usually made of a strip of wood bent by a cord connecting the two ends
3
: something that is curved like a bow
4
: a wooden rod with horsehairs stretched from end to end used for playing a violin or similar instrument
5
: a knot made with two or more loops
tie the ribbon in a bow
bow
4 of 5 verb1
: to bend into a curve
2
: to play a stringed instrument with a bow
bow
5 of 5 noun
: the forward part of a ship
Etymology
Verb
Middle English bowen "to bend, yield," from Old English būgan "to bend in obedience"
Noun
Middle English bowe "something curved," from Old English boga (same meaning)
Noun
Middle English bowe (same meaning), probably from early Dutch boech "bow, shoulder"
Medical Definition
bow
noun
: a frame for the lenses of eyeglasses
also
: the curved sidepiece of the frame passing over the ear
Geographical Definition
Bow
geographical name
river 315 miles (507 kilometers) long in southwestern Alberta, Canada, rising in Banff National Park
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