woodshed

noun wood·shed \ ˈwu̇d-ˌshed \

Updated on: 3 Apr 2018

Definition of woodshed

1 : a shed for storing wood and especially firewood

2 : a place, means, or session for administering discipline

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Recent Examples of woodshed from the Web

With Lionel Messi watching from a stadium suite, sitting out a second straight game with a minor injury, Spain took Argentina to the woodshed, winning 6-1 at Atletico Madrid's Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.

— avi creditor, SI.com, "WATCH: Isco Hat Trick Leads Spain's 6-1 Rout Over Messi-Less Argentina," 27 Mar. 2018
They were basically taken to the woodshed in a 109-94 loss to the Wizards at the Capital One Arena.

— keith pompey, Philly.com, "Sixers' Brett Brown still sees warts despite big win over Cavaliers | Keith Pompey," 2 Mar. 2018
Many things that are very basic that any public school would be taken to the woodshed for not doing, haven’t been done.

— Washington Post, "Concerns persist over school system for juvenile offenders," 19 Dec. 2017
Well, his team was good enough to take Lewis' Bengals to the woodshed.

— nate davis, USA TODAY, "NFL hot seat rankings: Bengals' Marvin Lewis, Bears' John Fox coaching out the string?," 12 Dec. 2017
Aztecs tucked the tail and and was taken to the woodshed.

— rachel roberts, idahostatesman, "He’s done something in 6 games that it took Boise State the previous 8 seasons to do," 15 Oct. 2017
You were beotch-slapped by a better game day coach that took you and your team to the woodshed.

— matt jennings, ajc, "Oklahoma State fans demand Mike Gundy cut off mullet after loss to TCU," 25 Sep. 2017
From the woodshed to the mountainside and all points between, the ermine may have one title independent of its weight class.

— author: christine cunningham, Alaska Dispatch News, "Ounce for ounce, the ermine may be toughest critter in Alaska," 12 Sep. 2017
One of the most affecting scenes in the book reveals its author, age 12 or 13, hiding out in a woodshed to watch the Williams sisters at practice on a rare visit to Bollettieri’s.

— julia felsenthal, Vogue, "Maria Sharapova’s Unstoppable May Just Be the Best Part of Her Comeback Tour," 6 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'woodshed.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of woodshed

1777

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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NEW! Time Traveler

woodshed

verb

Definition of woodshed

woodshedded; woodshedding

intransitive verb

: practice; especially : to practice on a musical instrument

Origin and Etymology of woodshed

probably from the former use of woodsheds for private practicing

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1936

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

WOODSHED Defined for English Language Learners

woodshed

noun

Definition of woodshed for English Language Learners

: a small building used for storing firewood

WOODSHED Defined for Kids

woodshed

noun wood·shed \ ˈwu̇d-ˌshed \

Definition of woodshed for Students

: a shed for storing firewood

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See words that rhyme with woodshed Spanish Central: Translation of woodshed Nglish: Translation of woodshed for Spanish speakers

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woodshed

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WOODSHED Defined for English Language Learners

woodshed

Definition of woodshed for English Language Learners

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woodshed

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woodshed

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