Howe

UK: /haʊ/ US: 'Howe', 'howe': (hou)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Howe / haʊ/ noun

1. Elias. 1819–67, US inventor of the sewing machine (1846)
2. Gordon, known as Gordie. 1928–2016, Canadian ice-hockey player, who scored 1071 goals in a professional career lasting 32 years.
3. Howe of Aberavon, Baron, title of (Richard Edward) Geoffrey Howe. 1926–2015, British Conservative politician; Chancellor of the Exchequer (1979–83); foreign secretary (1983–89); deputy prime minister (1989–90)
4. Richard, 4th Viscount Howe. 1726–99, British admiral: served (1776–78) in the War of American Independence and commanded the Channel fleet against France, winning the Battle of the Glorious First of June (1794)
5. his brother, William, 5th Viscount Howe. 1729–1814, British general; commander in chief (1776–78) of British forces in the War of American Independence

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

howe  (hou), [Scot. and North Eng.]
n. 

1. Scottish Terms a hole.
2. Scottish Terms the hold of a ship.
3. Scottish Terms a hollow;
   dell.

adj. 

4. Scottish Terms hollow.
5. Scottish Terms deep.

Also, how. 

• 1325–75; Middle English (north and Scots), alteration of holl; see hollow

Howe  (hou), n. 

1. Biographical E(dgar) W(atson), 1853–1937, U.S. novelist and editor.
2. Biographical Elias, 1819–67, U.S. inventor of the sewing machine.
3. Biographical Gordon (Gordie), born 1928, Canadian ice-hockey player.
4. Biographical Irving, 1920–93, U.S. social historian and literary critic.
5. Biographical Julia Ward, 1819–1910, U.S. writer and reformer: author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic (wife of Samuel Gridley Howe).
6. Biographical Richard (Earl Howe) ("Black Dick''), 1726–99, British admiral (brother of William Howe).
Samuel Grid•ley  (grid′lē), 1801–76, U.S. surgeon and humanitarian.
7. Biographical William, 5th Viscount, 1729–1814, British general in the American Revolutionary War.