The word bow has several meanings:

1. To bend forward at the waist as a sign of respect, greeting, or acknowledgment. When actors finish a play, they bow to the audience to thank them for watching. In many cultures, people bow when meeting someone important or when showing gratitude. The movement itself is also called a bow: a deep bow shows great respect, while a quick bow might be a simple hello.
2. A weapon that shoots arrows, made of a curved piece of wood or other material with a string stretched between the ends. For thousands of years, people used bows for hunting and warfare. When you pull back the string and release it, the bow launches the arrow forward. Archers still use bows in sport and competition today. A bow and arrow work together: the bow provides the power, the arrow flies toward the target.
3. A knot with two loops and two loose ends, like the kind you tie in your shoelaces. You might tie a bow on a gift to make it look special, or wear a bow tie to a fancy event. When you tie a bow in a ribbon, you're creating that looped knot shape.
4. The stick used to play violin, cello, and similar instruments, with horsehair stretched along its length. A musician draws the bow across the strings to create sound.
5. The front of a ship, especially as it moves through the water.