horseshoe

play

noun horse·shoe \ ˈhȯrs-ˌshü , ˈhȯrsh- \

Definition of horseshoe

1 :a usually U-shaped band of iron fitted and nailed to the rim of a horse's hoof to protect it

2 :something (such as a valley) shaped like a horseshoe

3 horseshoes plural :a game like quoits played with horseshoes or with horseshoe-shaped pieces of metal

—

horseshoe

transitive verb

—

horseshoer

play \ˈhȯrs-ˌshü-ər, ˈhȯrsh-\ noun

See horseshoe defined for English-language learners

See horseshoe defined for kids

Examples of horseshoe in a Sentence

The lake was a horseshoe surrounded by tall pine trees.

Recent Examples of horseshoe from the Web

The first year featured a country and western band as well as games and activities for children and horseshoes for adults.

— emily sorensen, Pomerado News, "Poway neighborhood’s fifth annual block party draws big crowd," 30 Aug. 2017
Food and drink vendors, music, silent and live auction, gold panning, horseshoe tournament, face painting, more.

— michelle jenkins, idahostatesman, "Pumpkins, football and FitOne…yep, September is just around the corner," 25 Aug. 2017
Saturday features a performance by magician David Lawrence at 3 p.m. and a concert by Beatles tribute band Ticket to Ride at 8:30 p.m. Also taking place that day are a horseshoe tournament, a monster truck show and other events.

— dylan mcguinness and marlon pitter, ctnow.com, "Let CT's Fairs Begin: Where Are Menageries, Music And Midways?," 9 Aug. 2017
The offerings included flags, beer, horseshoes, Chick Fil A and rifle scopes from Beaverton company Leupold & Stevens.

— anna marum, OregonLive.com, "Here are all 50 products from Trump's Made in America event," 17 July 2017
On the opposite side, horseshoe banquettes with chestnut brown leather seats and teal velvet backs offer more seating.

— jenna milliner-waddell, ELLE Decor, "WeWork’s First Paris Location, La Fayette, Is An Art Deco Tribute To 1920s France," 12 July 2017
The staff behind the horseshoe bar prepped for the after-work flurry to come.

— tan vinh, The Seattle Times, "Old-school appeal in Wallingford’s new Union Saloon," 12 July 2017
Every year, the 400 members pay their dues and work this tournament and other OTL events, plus the volleyball and horseshoe and wheelchair rugby and surfing and other tournaments and donate all profits to dozens of charities.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "OTL tournament about as San Diego as it gets," 6 July 2017
Sunday's events include the tennis tournament at 8 a.m., followed by the Home Days parade at 11 a.m. A horseshoe tournament starts at noon.

— beth mlady, cleveland.com, "Brook Park Home Days brings all-American fun, new concert stage beginning July 7," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'horseshoe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of horseshoe

14th century

HORSESHOE Defined for English Language Learners

horseshoe

play

noun

Definition of horseshoe for English Language Learners

: a U-shaped band of iron nailed to the bottom of a horse's hoof as a shoe
: something shaped like a horseshoe
horseshoes : a game in which players try to get horseshoes around a stake in the ground by throwing them at the stake from a certain distance

HORSESHOE Defined for Kids

horseshoe

play

noun horse·shoe \ ˈhȯrs-ˌshü \

Definition of horseshoe for Students

1 :a protective iron plate that is nailed to the rim of a horse's hoof

2 :something shaped like a horseshoe

They put the horseshoe of roses around his neck.
—Walter Farley, The Black Stallion

3 horseshoes plural :a game in which horseshoes are tossed at a stake in the ground

Learn More about horseshoe

See words that rhyme with horseshoe Spanish Central: Translation of horseshoe Nglish: Translation of horseshoe for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about horseshoe

Seen and Heard

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horseshoe

Definition of horseshoe

horseshoe

horseshoer

Examples of horseshoe in a Sentence

Recent Examples of horseshoe from the Web

First Known Use of horseshoe

HORSESHOE Defined for English Language Learners

horseshoe

Definition of horseshoe for English Language Learners

HORSESHOE Defined for Kids

horseshoe

Definition of horseshoe for Students

Learn More about horseshoe

Seen and Heard

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horseshoe

Definition of horseshoe

horseshoe

horseshoer

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Examples of horseshoe in a Sentence

Recent Examples of horseshoe from the Web

First Known Use of horseshoe

HORSESHOE Defined for English Language Learners

horseshoe

Definition of horseshoe for English Language Learners

HORSESHOE Defined for Kids

horseshoe

Definition of horseshoe for Students

Learn More about horseshoe

Seen and Heard

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Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

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Word Games

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