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

Though Geralt’s hansa succeeds in besting the priest’s deliberately unfair trial — with Regis demonstrating the (unexplained) power to hold a red-hot horseshoe without being burned — the whole thing turns out to be a farce. —Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025

More than 20 televisions will show football and sports with live music, pool tables and a central horseshoe bar. —Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2025

Solly’s has regulars that come in every day and sit in the same seat, on one of the teal swivel chairs that line the classic double-horseshoe counter. —Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025

On the ground floor, a horseshoe bar with marble countertops and bronze chairs seats 20 patrons. —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 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