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Shard dates back to Old English (where it was spelled sceard) and is related to Old English scieran, meaning "to cut." English speakers have adopted the modernized shard spelling for most uses, but archaeologists prefer to spell the word sherd when referring to the ancient fragments of pottery (sometimes referred to specifically as potsherds) they unearth. While shard initially referred to exactly such items, today the word is also used more broadly to encompass slivers of intangible concepts. A baseless accusation may be made "without a shard of evidence," and fans of the losing team may "cling to a shard of hope" until the final score. The utility of shard is its, ahem, point.
Examples of shard in a Sentence
ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
The shards weren’t discovered in the Alberts’ yard until after 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2022, according to Vanity Fair.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 19 June 2025
The department’s Incident Management Assistance Patrol responded and found vehicles driving on the shoulder to avoid driving over the glass shards, Moody said.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Although Leal was not injured, Pimentel was hurt by glass shards after bullets struck his patrol car window.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shard
Cite this Entry
“Shard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shard. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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shard
noun
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