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

horseshoer

ˈhȯrs-ˌshü-ər 

ˈhȯrsh-

noun

Examples of horseshoe in a Sentence

The lake was a horseshoe surrounded by tall pine trees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Time to replace those horseshoes with rabbit’s feet, Broncos Country. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 12 June 2025

Final touches to the table clock include distinct elements behind the horseshoe grille. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 June 2025

Beyoncé soared across SoFi Stadium in a giant neon horseshoe, and then again in a red convertible Cadillac. —Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025

The denim shape—also known as balloon or horseshoe jeans—flare at the thighs and taper at the ankles. —Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 28 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing horseshoe

• horseshoe arch
• horseshoe crab

Rhymes for horseshoe

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

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