Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Shovel \Shov"el\, n. [OE. shovele, schovele, AS. scoft, sceoft; akin to D. schoffel, G. schaufel, OHG. sc?vala, Dan. skovl, Sw. skofvel, skyffel, and to E. shove. [root]160. See Shove, v. t.] An implement consisting of a broad scoop, or more or less hollow blade, with a handle, used for lifting and throwing earth, coal, grain, or other loose substances.
Shovel hat, a broad-brimmed hat, turned up at the sides, and projecting in front like a shovel, -- worn by some clergy of the English Church. [Colloq.]
Shovelspur (Zo["o]l.), a flat, horny process on the tarsus of some toads, -- used in burrowing.
Steam shovel, a machine with a scoop or scoops, operated by a steam engine, for excavating earth, as in making railway cuttings.
Wiktionary
n. An industrial machine designed to effect a shovelling action through steam power.
WordNet
n. a power shovel that is driven by steam
Wikipedia
A steam shovel is a large steam-powered excavating machine designed for lifting and moving material such as rock and soil. It is the earliest type of power shovel or excavator. They played a major role in public works in the 19th and early 20th century, being key to the construction of railroads and the Panama Canal. The development of simpler, cheaper diesel-powered shovels caused steam shovels to fall out of favor in the 1930s.
Usage examples of "steam shovel".
To Bronstein's over-tense ears the digging rat was making more noise than a cross between a steam shovel and an oompah-band.
In blizzards, she still used the ancient tactic: stand firm, lower the head and swing it back and forth like the bucket on a steam shovel until the grass was exposed.
The principle remains the same, whether its a steam shovel scooping out half a ton of earth at a bite, or a sweating, stocky Navaho wielding shovel and pick.
Half a mile or so to the north the steam shovel was still digging.
Dua's head swung forward like the jaws of a steam shovel, until it hung only inches from Fredericks' own pale, bug-eyed features.
We were nearly the same height, but I'm on the lean side and he was built like a steam shovel and just as solid.