shanty

1 of 2

noun (1)

shan·​ty ˈshan- How to pronounce shanty (audio)

variant spelling of chantey

: a song sung by sailors in rhythm with their work

shanty

2 of 2

noun (2)

shan·​ty ˈshan-tē How to pronounce shanty (audio)
plural shanties
: a small crudely built dwelling or shelter usually of wood

Examples of shanty in a Sentence

Noun (2) lived just off the beach in a crude shanty
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Behind her, a cluster of pastel shanties houses Rain Barrel Village, an open-air market and artist haven for more than 40 years. Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2025 But beginning with the Class of ’23, search sea shanties have been growing grimmer. Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 Manuel Venegas, the museum’s director of media relations, asked Schneider to explain the meaning behind the many windows and doors of this shanty town-esque fantasia. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025 The rousing shanty is already a knowing commentary on class and hypocrisy. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shanty

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

probably from Canadian French chantier lumber camp, hut, from French, builder's yard, ways, support for barrels, from Old French chantier, gantier support — more at gantry

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shanty was in 1820

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shanty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shanty. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

shanty

1 of 2

variant of chantey

shanty

2 of 2 noun
shan·​ty
ˈshant-ē
plural shanties
: shack, hut

More from Merriam-Webster on shanty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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