horseshoe
noun
horse·shoe
ˈhȯrs-ˌshü 
ˈhȯrsh-
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
Examples of horseshoe in a Sentence
The lake was a horseshoe surrounded by tall pine trees.
Recent Examples on the Web
Get the look with Dries’ tan, twill blazer, and Citizens of Humanity’s horseshoe jean.
—
Megan O'Sullivan, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2023
The grand residence, set at the head of a horseshoe drive behind a brick privacy wall and fortified gates, was designed by Irving Gill and William S. Hebbard, two of San Diego’s most influential architects.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2023
Ralphie − a female bison, not a buffalo − will be led by as many as five handlers in a horseshoe pattern around the field, reaching speeds as high as 25 miles per hour.
—Erick Smith, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023
The front bumper is attached to the curved end of the horseshoe.
—Ray Hutton, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2023
In the final scene of the season, Dwight wears perhaps his gaudiest accessory of all: an enormous Western-style bolo tie shaped like a horseshoe with a massive stone in the center.
—Matthew Chernov, Variety, 6 June 2023
Slovenia was elected to the powerful council last June as a temporary member and is set to get its seat on the horseshoe table in January.
—Stephanie Fillion, CNN, 22 Sep. 2023
Visitors can eat, shop for souvenirs, pitch horseshoes or washers and enjoy nonstop music under two pavilions.
—Norma Cavazos, Dallas News, 31 Aug. 2023
But Lindsay remembers holiday front yard activities at Yogi and Carmen’s house as carefree: Tossing a football; hitting a Wiffle Ball; playing croquet, horseshoes or tag or just doing somersaults down the hill.
—Stephen Borelli, USA TODAY, 28 Aug. 2023
See More
Megan O'Sullivan, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2023
The grand residence, set at the head of a horseshoe drive behind a brick privacy wall and fortified gates, was designed by Irving Gill and William S. Hebbard, two of San Diego’s most influential architects.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2023
Ralphie − a female bison, not a buffalo − will be led by as many as five handlers in a horseshoe pattern around the field, reaching speeds as high as 25 miles per hour.
—Erick Smith, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023
The front bumper is attached to the curved end of the horseshoe.
—Ray Hutton, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2023
In the final scene of the season, Dwight wears perhaps his gaudiest accessory of all: an enormous Western-style bolo tie shaped like a horseshoe with a massive stone in the center.
—Matthew Chernov, Variety, 6 June 2023
Slovenia was elected to the powerful council last June as a temporary member and is set to get its seat on the horseshoe table in January.
—Stephanie Fillion, CNN, 22 Sep. 2023
Visitors can eat, shop for souvenirs, pitch horseshoes or washers and enjoy nonstop music under two pavilions.
—Norma Cavazos, Dallas News, 31 Aug. 2023
But Lindsay remembers holiday front yard activities at Yogi and Carmen’s house as carefree: Tossing a football; hitting a Wiffle Ball; playing croquet, horseshoes or tag or just doing somersaults down the hill.
—Stephen Borelli, USA TODAY, 28 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'horseshoe.' 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
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of horseshoe was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing horseshoe
Dictionary Entries Near horseshoe
Cite this Entry
“Horseshoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horseshoe. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
horseshoe
noun
horse·shoe
ˈhȯrs-ˌshü
ˈhȯrsh-
1
: a usually U-shaped band of iron shaped and nailed to the rim of a horse's hoof
2
: something shaped like a horseshoe
3
plural
: a game in which horseshoes are tossed at a stake in the ground
horseshoe
verb
horseshoer
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on horseshoe
Nglish: Translation of horseshoe for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about horseshoe
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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