1
: to cause or permit to be seen : exhibit
showed pictures of the baby
2
: to offer for sale
stores were showing new spring suits
3
: to present as a public spectacle : perform
4
: to reveal by one's condition, nature, or behavior
showed themselves to be cowards
5
: to give indication or record of
an anemometer shows wind speed
6
9
10
: to present (an animal) for judging in a show
1
a
: to be or come in view
3:15 showed on the clock
b
: to put in an appearance
failed to show
3
a
: to give a theatrical performance
b
: to be staged or presented
4
a
: to appear as a contestant
b
: to present an animal in a show
5
: to finish third or at least third (as in a horse race)
6
: to exhibit one's artistic work
often attributive
1
: a demonstrative display
a show of strength
2
3
: chance sense 2
gave him a show in spite of his background
4
: something exhibited especially for wonder or ridicule : spectacle
5
a
: a large display or exhibition arranged to arouse interest or stimulate sales
the national auto show
b
: a competitive exhibition of animals (such as dogs) to demonstrate quality in breeding
6
a
: a theatrical presentation
b
: a regularly distributed program (as on radio, television, or the Internet)
She likes to watch "Unwrapped," a Food Network show that goes behind the scenes in the food industry.—
Ashley Barron
Ashley BarronA month ago, the only podcast was "Trade Secrets," a daily news and technology talk show co-hosted by podcasting's pioneers: former MTV VJ Adam Curry and software developer Dave Winer.—Wayne Glowka et al.
Wayne Glowka et al.
also
: a single episode of such a program
I've got time to watch one more show. —Michael Schneider
Michael Schneider 7
: enterprise, affair
they ran the whole show
8
: third place at the finish (as of a horse race)
9
often capitalized
: the major leagues in baseball
—used with the
Examples of show in a Sentence
Verb
You have to show your tickets at the gate.
You're the only person that I've shown this letter to.
They showed the theory to be faulty.
You will have to show me how to play the game.
He showed them a card trick.
Definitions tell you the meanings of words; examples show you how the words are used.
Noun
She was the star of the show.
The band always puts on a good show.
a show of his early paintings
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
Text messages sent in the hours leading up to O’Keefe’s death read aloud to the court by a Massachusetts state trooper show the couple were at a strained point in their relationship.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Caroline Frost, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
Interest in the case has swept the country since then, spurring an array of true crime podcasts, movies, television shows and a host of supporters for both Read and O’Keefe.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for show
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.
Verb
His prominent role in Game 3 -- which was a big reason the Knicks' offensive rating jumped to 120.8 from 101.9 in Game 2 -- showed that coach Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks have learned their lesson about keeping Towns involved in the offense.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
Text messages sent in the hours leading up to O’Keefe’s death read aloud to the court by a Massachusetts state trooper show the couple were at a strained point in their relationship.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
The Guardian newspaper reports that the former Doctor Who star – who appeared in the 2005 film adaptation of Rowling’s book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – gave his opinion of Rowling in answer to questions posed by a group of neurodivergent young adults in ITV’s show The Assembly.
—Caroline Frost, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
Interest in the case has swept the country since then, spurring an array of true crime podcasts, movies, television shows and a host of supporters for both Read and O’Keefe.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for show
Cite this Entry
“Show.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/show. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
show
1 of 2 verb
showed; shown
ˈshōn 
or showed; showing
or showed; showing
1
: to place in sight : present so as to be seen
2
: reveal sense 2
showed strong feeling
3
: to give from or as if from a position of authority
we'll show them no mercy
4
: teach sense 1, instruct
showed me a few chords on the guitar
5
: prove sense 2a
that shows we're right
6
: to give indication or record of
his grades show some improvement
7
: usher entry 2 sense 1, guide
showed them to a seat
8
: to be noticeable
the patch hardly shows
the determination showed in her face
9
: to present (an animal) for judging in a show
10
: to be third or at least third (as in a horse race)
show
2 of 2 noun1
: a display made for effect
a show of strength
2
a
: a false outward appearance
made a show of friendship
b
: a true indication : sign
a show of reason
3
: a ridiculous spectacle
4
: an entertainment or exhibition especially by performers (as on TV or the stage)
5
: a competitive exhibition (as of animals) to demonstrate quality
6
: third place at the finish (as of a horse race)
Medical Definition
show
noun1
: a discharge of mucus streaked with blood from the vagina at the onset of labor
2
: the first appearance of blood in a menstrual period
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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