A bow is a weapon designed to shoot arrows. The person who uses a bow is called an archer. In the past, this word was used to refer to a warrior whose main weapon was a bow. Archery is the art of shooting arrows using a bow. Archers played a crucial role in many battles throughout history, such as the First Islamic Wars and the Hundred Years' War. Today, bows are used primarily for sports and hunting.

In prehistoric times, man invented the bow and arrow. This weapon revolutionized hunting methods, as it enabled man to kill animals from a distance. The ancient Egyptians were the first to be known to use the bow and arrow on a large scale. They used this weapon in their hunting and wars as early as 5000 BC. The Assyrians and Persians were among the other primitive peoples who used bows and arrows. Throughout history, many types and shapes of bows have been available, the most famous of which are the longbow made from a single piece of wood and the short compound bow with outward-curving ends. By the twelfth century AD, the crossbow had become a common weapon in Europe.

The National Archery Association of the United States was founded in 1879. The International Archery Federation was founded in 1931 to oversee international tournaments. A group of American hunters established the National Outdoor Archery Association in 1939. The International Archery Federation introduced outdoor archery into international championship competitions in 1969.