SoW

Sow is a term with two primary, unrelated uses in English: as a noun referring to an adult female pig, and as a verb meaning to plant seeds in the ground. The two senses are distinguished in pronunciation as well: the animal is typically pronounced with the vowel sound in “how” (/saʊ/), while the verb is pronounced like “sew” (/soʊ/).

In animal husbandry, a sow is an adult female pig that has given birth to piglets or is used for breeding. A gilt is a young female pig that has not yet farrowed. Sows are managed to produce litters, with typical litter sizes varying by breed and husbandry but often ranging from six to twelve piglets. Gestation in pigs lasts about 114 days (roughly three months, three weeks, and three days). After farrowing, sows nurse and care for their piglets, and management practices focus on nutrition, health, and reproductive conditioning to sustain future breeding cycles.

As a verb, to sow means to plant seeds in soil. Sowing can be done by broadcasting seeds over an area, drilling seeds in rows or furrows, or placing seeds individually depending on the crop and equipment. Seed depth, spacing, and timing depend on species, soil conditions, and climate. Following sowing, seeds require appropriate moisture and temperature to germinate and emerge, after which crops are thinned, transplanted if needed, and managed through to harvest.

Common uses of the term include agricultural contexts and everyday farming discussions, with the two meanings clearly distinguished by context, pronunciation, and related terminology.