Return to the home page.

Expand/collapse menu.

Visit Our Sites

Unabridged Dictionary

Learner's Dictionary

Word Central for Kids

Expand/collapse menu.

Premium Services

Unabridged Dictionary

Encyclopedia Britannica

Institutional Subscriptions

Expand/collapse menu.

Expand/collapse menu.

Word of the Day

Subscriber Help

Expand/collapse menu.

More Word Games

Daily Crosswords

Expand/collapse menu.

Open Dictionary

Alphabetical Browse

Browse Categories

Submit an Entry

Expand/collapse menu.

Spelling Bee Hive

Hive Headquarters

Spelling Champion

Spelling Reform

Expand/collapse menu.

Word for the Wise

Today's Broadcast

Expand/collapse menu.

Books and CD-Roms

Online Services

Palm and Pocket PC

Expand/collapse menu.

Looking Up a Word

Citing the Dictionary

Audio Pronunciations

Word Games Help

Expand/collapse menu.

Merriam-Webster FAQ

Advertising Info

Copyright Notice

Hooked Media

Flash Player Required

The Adobe Flash Player is required in order to view this content. You can get it here:

shred

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

shred

Main Entry: ¹shred

Pronunciation: \ˈshred, especially Southern ˈsred\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English shrede, from Old English scrēade; akin to Old High German scrōt piece cut off

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a long narrow strip cut or torn off b plural : a shredded, damaged, or ruined condition <a reputation torn to shreds>
2 : particle, scrap <not a shred of evidence>

Learn more about "shred"

Learn more about "shred" and related topics at Britannica.com

Pronunciation Symbols