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
Synonyms
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
See More
Recent Examples on the WebJack Irvin, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
The two become very close and end up showing an interest in each other.
—Chelsea Hylton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2023
Research shows that urban forests are 2.9 degrees cooler than areas without trees on average, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
—Amanda Gokee, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
Extreme summertime heat overburdens vulnerable populations, especially communities of color living with low incomes, Cleetus said, citing mapping research the Union of Concerned Scientists has done to show the inequities of keeping cool in cities.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2023
Combining everything shown on the field so far, Milroe has been the best quarterback.
—Matt Stahl | Mstahl@al.com, al, 18 Sep. 2023
Better donor matching prevents the development of a specific immune reaction that, studies with sickle cell patients have shown, can reduce life expectancy by seven years.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2023
And not only has this first Pope from the Americas shown no special regard for the U.S.; the American Church has become the church that stands between Francis and his vision of Catholicism.
—Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
Countless studies show that chronic stress is bad for the body and mind, and burnout is linked to everything from depression to premature death, research shows.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 18 Sep. 2023
Todd Wallack, ProPublica, 19 Sep. 2023
The Roxy is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series of anniversary shows, including two Neil Young concerts set for Wednesday (Sept. 20) and Thursday (Sept. 21) in honor of Young’s concerts that opened the venue in 1973.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2023
After a handful of reunion shows at the Country Club in Reseda in 1989 and the Vex in L.A. in 2001 and 2013, the Stains faded away and their record became a collector’s item, with prices climbing as high as $1,200.
Beset by debilitating health issues, Becerra eventually stopped playing guitar.
—Jim Ruland, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2023
During a show at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Swift announced that 1989 (Taylor’s Version) will be arriving on Oct. 27 — exactly nine years after the original dropped on Oct. 27, 2014.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2023
Sitting in her red chair later in the video, McEntire spoke about her experience on the show so far.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
The show has remained out of production through the SAG-AFTRA strikes.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 19 Sep. 2023
Crumb will perform a handful of shows this November in Europe, including sets at both Pitchfork Music Festival Paris and Pitchfork Music Festival London.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 19 Sep. 2023
Ennis worked on the show as both director and technical director, dating back to 1992.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Sep. 2023
See More
Verb
Come on, Katy Perry — show 'em what your music is worth.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
The two become very close and end up showing an interest in each other.
—Chelsea Hylton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2023
Research shows that urban forests are 2.9 degrees cooler than areas without trees on average, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
—Amanda Gokee, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
Extreme summertime heat overburdens vulnerable populations, especially communities of color living with low incomes, Cleetus said, citing mapping research the Union of Concerned Scientists has done to show the inequities of keeping cool in cities.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2023
Combining everything shown on the field so far, Milroe has been the best quarterback.
—Matt Stahl | Mstahl@al.com, al, 18 Sep. 2023
Better donor matching prevents the development of a specific immune reaction that, studies with sickle cell patients have shown, can reduce life expectancy by seven years.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2023
And not only has this first Pope from the Americas shown no special regard for the U.S.; the American Church has become the church that stands between Francis and his vision of Catholicism.
—Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
Countless studies show that chronic stress is bad for the body and mind, and burnout is linked to everything from depression to premature death, research shows.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 18 Sep. 2023
Noun
The number of waiver requests has tripled since 2018, state data shows.
—Todd Wallack, ProPublica, 19 Sep. 2023
The Roxy is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series of anniversary shows, including two Neil Young concerts set for Wednesday (Sept. 20) and Thursday (Sept. 21) in honor of Young’s concerts that opened the venue in 1973.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2023
After a handful of reunion shows at the Country Club in Reseda in 1989 and the Vex in L.A. in 2001 and 2013, the Stains faded away and their record became a collector’s item, with prices climbing as high as $1,200.
Beset by debilitating health issues, Becerra eventually stopped playing guitar.
—Jim Ruland, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2023
During a show at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Swift announced that 1989 (Taylor’s Version) will be arriving on Oct. 27 — exactly nine years after the original dropped on Oct. 27, 2014.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2023
Sitting in her red chair later in the video, McEntire spoke about her experience on the show so far.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
The show has remained out of production through the SAG-AFTRA strikes.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 19 Sep. 2023
Crumb will perform a handful of shows this November in Europe, including sets at both Pitchfork Music Festival Paris and Pitchfork Music Festival London.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 19 Sep. 2023
Ennis worked on the show as both director and technical director, dating back to 1992.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'show.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English shewen, showen, from Old English scēawian to look, look at, see; akin to Old High German scouwōn to look, look at, and probably to Latin cavēre to be on one's guard
First Known Use
Verb
12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Time Traveler
The first known use of show was
in the 12th century
Phrases Containing show
Articles Related to show
Dictionary Entries Near show
Cite this Entry
“Show.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/show. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
Legal Definition
show
transitive verb
showed; shown or showed; showing
: to demonstrate or establish by argument, reasoning, or evidence
must show a compelling need for the court action
More from Merriam-Webster on show
Nglish: Translation of show for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of show for Arabic Speakers
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