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to billow
01
to expand in a blowing or puffing motion as if by the action of wind or some force within
Examples
Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the burning building.
The surfer watched the huge waves billow up ahead of him.
02
to swell out by internal pressure, as with air or gas
Examples
The life jacket billowed up as the sailor pulled the inflation cord.
Her full skirt billowed around her as she spun in circles.
03
to rise, roll, or surge like large ocean waves
Intransitive
Examples
The waves billowed toward the shore.
Mist billowed over the mountains in the early morning.
04
to move or push forward with great difficulty, often in a mass
Intransitive
Examples
The crowd billowed through the narrow alley.
Refugees billowed into the border town.
Billow
01
a large rolling wave, especially at sea
Examples
The ship rose and fell with the billows.
Storms sent huge billows crashing onto the shore.
Lexical Tree
billowing
billow
