face shield

noun

plural face shields
: a protective covering for all or part of the face that is commonly made of clear plastic and is worn especially to prevent injury (as from impact, extreme temperature, or a dangerous substance) or to reduce the spread of transmissible disease
Infectious disease experts and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge people to wear cloth face coverings or plastic face shields in public to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.Nick Coltrain
The headbands are reusable with an interchangeable face shield, which greatly increases their utility versus a single-use disposable design.Edwin B. Smith
… no action was taken by the American Hockey Coaches Association regarding the matter of a three-quarters face shield for college hockey players. Thus, the full face mask requirement will remain in place for next season.John Connolly
If it's really cold, a snowmobile-style helmet with a face shield is your best bet.Tom Kaiser
Wash your hands frequently and use a cloth face shield to protect yourself and others from spreading the virus.Howard B. Owens

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Residents were also reminded to keep their windows shut and wear masks and face shields. Chris Lau, CNN, 11 Apr. 2023 Mazur said he was inspired by people who volunteered to make masks and face shields during the COVID-19 pandemic. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 28 Feb. 2023 Police also uncovered a meat grinder, electric saw, face shields and a pink designer bag at the location. Britt Clennett, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2023 On Valentine's Day, the city auctioned off 701,100 face shields, with an opening bid of $1,000. Louis Casiano, Fox News, 22 Feb. 2023 Students try out a face shield during a lesson on the senses – in this instance, sight – in an anatomy and physiology class, part of the Next Generation Medical Academy, at Freer High School, on Feb. 23, 2023 in Freer, Texas. Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'face shield.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of face shield was in 1842

Dictionary Entries Near face shield

Cite this Entry

“Face shield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/face%20shield. Accessed 1 Jun. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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