shortbread

noun

short·​bread ˈshȯrt-ˌbred How to pronounce shortbread (audio)
: a thick cookie made of flour, sugar, and a large amount of shortening

Examples of shortbread in a Sentence

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.
Get the recipe > Sweet corn pastry cream is layered with blueberry compote and buttery shortbread in this late-summer trifle. Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025 Made with luscious layers of cream cheese filling and dark chocolate pudding, all held together by a pecan shortbread crust, possum pie is one of the best old-fashioned desserts there is. Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025 When planetary scientists say the interior of Mars resembles a rocky road brownie more than a piece of buttery shortbread, the tasty metaphor masks billions of years of geological violence. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025 Insert shortbread or vanilla cookies in the cookie dirt to look like graves, then arrange gummy worms, sprinkles, and pumpkin candies around to complete the scene. Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shortbread

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shortbread was in 1801

Cite this Entry

“Shortbread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortbread. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

shortbread

noun
short·​bread ˈshȯrt-ˌbred How to pronounce shortbread (audio)
: a cookie made of flour, sugar, and lots of shortening

More from Merriam-Webster on shortbread

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