to pull or draw with great effort; to draw along with continued exertion; to haul along; to tow; as, to tug a loaded cart; to tug a ship into port.-to pull; to pluck.-to pull with great effort; to strain in labor; as, to tug at the oar; to tug against the stream.-to labor; to strive; to struggle.-a pull with the utmost effort, as in the athletic contest called tug of war; a supreme effort.-a sort of vehicle, used for conveying timber and heavy articles.-a small, powerful steamboat used to tow vessels; -- called also steam tug, tugboat, and towboat.-a trace, or drawing strap, of a harness.-an iron hook of a hoisting tub, to which a tackle is affixed.