Hoe

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Hoe

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun and verb

Pronunciation

hoh  /həʊ/

Definition

As a noun: a long-handled gardening or farming tool with a thin flat blade at right angles to the handle, used for loosening soil, removing weeds, and earthing up plants. As a verb: to use a hoe to cultivate or weed (an area of ground); to loosen or remove with a hoe.

Plain meaning

A hoe is a garden or farm tool with a flat blade on a long handle, used for turning soil, removing weeds, and earthing up vegetables. To hoe means to use this tool — you hoe a garden bed to loosen the soil and remove unwanted plants.

Register

Neutral. Hoe is standard in gardening, farming, and horticultural contexts. The verb to hoe is slightly more formal than digging or weeding in that it specifies the tool and motion involved.