To tow means to pull or drag something behind you, usually with a rope, chain, or cable. When a car breaks down on the highway, a tow truck comes to tow it to a repair shop. Boats tow water skiers across lakes. A truck might tow a trailer full of furniture to a new house.

Towing is one vehicle or vessel pulling another that can't move on its own, or pulling cargo that needs to be transported. Farmers tow equipment behind their tractors. Ships tow barges through harbors.

You might see a sign that says “No Parking: Tow Zone,” which means your car will be towed away if you park there. Being towed can be expensive: tow truck services may cost a lot of money.

As a noun, a tow is the act of towing, or a trip where something is towed.

When something follows obediently behind someone, you might say it's in tow. A mother duck swimming across a pond with six ducklings paddling behind her has her babies in tow.