bowbowbows2nounpronunciationWith these meanings, the word bow sounds like go.1a curved piece of wood with a string between the two ends. You use a bow to send arrows through the air.2a knot with two loose round parts and two loose ends that you use when you are tying shoes, etc.3a long thin piece of wood with hair stretched across it that you use for playing some musical instruments: a violin bowbowbowbowsbowedbowing1verb (bows, bowing, bowed)pronunciationWith this meaning, the word bow sounds like now.to bend your head or body forward to show respect: The actors bowed at the end of the play.▶ bownoun: He gave a bow and left the room.