A snow blower, snowblower, or snow thrower is a machine for removing snow from an area where it is not wante, such as a driveway, sidewalk, roadway, or runway. It can use either electric power, or a gasoline or diesel engine to throw snow to another location or into a truck to be hauled away. This is in contrast with the action of snow plows, which push snow to the front or side (shovels can be similarly used).