shore

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈshȯr 

often attributive

1

: the land bordering a usually large body of water

specifically : coast

2

: a boundary (as of a country) or an area within a boundary

—usually used in plural

immigrated to these shores

3

: land as distinguished from the sea

shipboard and shore duty

shore

2 of 3

noun (2)

: a prop for preventing sinking or sagging

shore

3 of 3

verb

shored; shoring

transitive verb

1

: to support by a shore : prop

2

: to give support to : brace

—usually used with up

trying to shore up his claim

Synonyms of shore

Noun (2)

• support
• pillar
• reinforcement
• prop
• mounting
• mount
• brace
• stay
• foundation
• spur

Verb

• sustain
• carry
• support
• bolster
• stay
• prop (up)

Examples of shore in a Sentence

Noun (2)

the carpenter placed a shore underneath the sagging roof of the porch

Verb

a highway tunnel shored up by massive columns of concrete

used an avalanche of statistics to shore up his claim that the state's economy is in fine shape

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The deep waters close to shore create a safe calving ground for pregnant mother whales, with an abundant buffet of giant squid the size of Mini Coopers. —Adam Erace, Fortune, 24 May 2026

If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 24 May 2026

Verb

These jellyfish are commonly seen in the open ocean but can drift closer to shore on occasion. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026

With blue crab season underway, along with a plenitude of native fish and shrimp coming to shore each morning, restaurants fill their menus with whatever is brought to the marina. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English *scor; akin to Middle Low German schōr foreland and perhaps to Old English scieran to cut — more at shear

Noun (2)

Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch scōre prop, Middle Low German schōre

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shore

• hug the shore
• lee shore
• shore dinner
• shore leave
• shore patrol
• shore up

Rhymes for shore

• boar
• boer
• bore
• chore
• cor
• core
• corps
• crore
• door
• drawer
• floor
• flor

Kids Definition

shore

1 of 3 noun

ˈshō(ə)r 

ˈshȯ(ə)r

: the land along the edge of a body of water (as the sea)

shore

2 of 3 verb

shored; shoring

: to support with one or more bracing timbers

shore up a house foundation

shore

3 of 3 noun

: a prop or support placed under or against something to support it

Etymology

Noun

Middle English shore "the land on the edge of a body of water"

Verb

Middle English shoren "to support, brace"