arado

Arado is a term meaning plow in Spanish and Portuguese, and broadly denotes an agricultural implement used to cut and turn soil to prepare a seedbed. A plow typically consists of a frame, a share or blade that cuts into the soil, and a moldboard that inverts the earth, usually drawn by draft animals or a tractor. Traditional arados were made from wood and iron, and over time evolved into more complex designs such as moldboard, reversible, and disc plows, suited to different soil types, crops, and farming practices. Plowing remains a foundational farming activity, improving soil structure, burying crop residues, and controlling weeds, with efficiency and productivity increasing as technology and agronomic knowledge advanced.

In German, Arado refers to Arado Flugzeugwerke, a historical aircraft manufacturer active in the early to mid-20th century. The company produced several aircraft for military and civil use, including reconnaissance floatplanes and bomber designs such as the Ar 196 and Ar 234 during the World War II era.

Etymology: the word arado derives from Latin arare, to till; in Spanish and Portuguese, it is the common noun for a plow and the act of plowing.