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Sowing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sowing

[หˆsษ™สŠษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

agriculture

Sowing is the action of scattering seeds in the ground for the purpose of growing plants. It is an essential part of agriculture and gardening.

Synonyms

broadcasting, planting, seeding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sowing

Generally used for placing seeds in the ground to grow crops, especially in agriculture.

  • Farmers are busy sowing wheat in the fields during the spring season.
  • She enjoys sowing flowers in her garden.
planting

Putting plants or seeds into the soil to grow, usually involves careful placement and more specific to gardening and small-scale agriculture.

  • We are planting tomatoes and peppers in our backyard garden.
  • After digging the holes, they started planting the young trees.
seeding

Generally refers to the act of planting seeds, commonly used in agriculture and gardening. Slight overlap with sowing but often implies the initial stage of planting.

  • The field is ready for seeding with barley.
  • She is seeding her vegetable garden for the coming summer.
broadcasting

Spreading seeds over a large area by scattering them, often used for grass seeds or cover crops. Can also relate to media but exclude that meaning here.

  • He was broadcasting the seeds by hand to cover the entire lawn.
  • The gardeners are broadcasting clover seeds to improve soil health.

Examples of usage

  • The farmer was sowing wheat in the field.
  • She sowed the flower seeds in the garden bed.
Context #2 | Noun

figurative

Sowing can also refer to the act of spreading or introducing something in a gradual or subtle way.

Synonyms

instigating, propagating, spreading.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sowing

Typically used in agricultural contexts or metaphorically to talk about initiating an idea or plan. It has a neutral or positive connotation.

  • Farmers are busy sowing seeds for the next season
  • She has been sowing the seeds of change in the community
spreading

Used broadly to describe the distribution of physical items, ideas, or information. It can be either neutral or negative based on context.

  • They are spreading butter on the toast
  • Rumors about the incident were spreading quickly
propagating

Often used in the context of spreading ideas, opinions, or biological reproduction. It can have a scientific or intellectual angle and is generally neutral.

  • Scientists are propagating new methods of renewable energy
  • She dedicates her time to propagating her research findings
instigating

Used when someone starts a process, usually with a negative connotation, often related to causing trouble or stirring up conflict.

  • They were accused of instigating the riot
  • He was instigating arguments among his coworkers

Examples of usage

  • The politician was sowing seeds of doubt among the voters.
  • Her actions were sowing discord within the community.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Agriculture

  • Sowing can be done by hand or with machines; large farms often use seed drills for efficiency.
  • Different seeds require different depths and spacing in the soil for optimal growth.
  • There are two main types of sowing: direct sowing (planting seeds directly in the soil) and transplanting (growing seedlings first and moving them).

Cultural Significance

  • Many cultures have festivals that celebrate sowing as part of the agricultural cycle, highlighting its importance in food production.
  • In numerous folklore traditions, sowing is often linked to themes of rebirth and fertility, marking springtime as a season of growth.

Environmental Impact

  • Sowing native plants can help restore ecosystems and provide habitats for local wildlife.
  • Practicing proper sowing techniques can help reduce soil erosion and improve soil health.

Science

  • The timing of sowing can significantly affect plant growth; factors like temperature and rainfall are critical.
  • Research shows that the method of sowing can influence crop yields and pest management.

Origin of 'sowing'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'sawian', meaning to plant or scatter seeds.
  • Historically, the term was linked to 'sow', which refers to the action of planting seeds, often associated with farming.

The word 'sowing' comes from the Old English word 'sฤwan', which means 'to scatter seed'. The practice of sowing seeds dates back thousands of years and has been a fundamental aspect of agriculture since ancient times. Sowing plays a crucial role in the food production process and has been a key factor in the development of human societies.

See also: sow, sown.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,090, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.