verb
tows; towed; towing
[+ obj] :to pull (a vehicle) behind another vehicle with a rope or chain
noun
plural tows
[count] :the act of pulling a vehicle behind another vehicle with a rope or chain - usually singular
in tow
or under tow or Brit on tow - used to describe a situation in which one vehicle, boat, etc., is being pulled by another
If a ship or boat is taken in tow, it is tied to and pulled by another boat or ship. This phrase is often used figuratively.
informal - used to describe a situation in which someone is going somewhere with another person or group