horseshoe

noun

horse·​shoe ˈhȯrs-ˌshü 

ˈhȯrsh-

1

: a usually U-shaped band of iron fitted and nailed to the rim of a horse's hoof to protect it

2

: something (such as a valley) shaped like a horseshoe

3

horseshoes plural : a game like quoits played with horseshoes or with horseshoe-shaped pieces of metal

horseshoe transitive verb

horseshoer

ˈhȯrs-ˌshü-ər 

ˈhȯrsh-

noun

Examples of horseshoe in a Sentence

The lake was a horseshoe surrounded by tall pine trees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tripping On Utopia - Margaret Mead, The Cold War, And The Troubled Birth Of Psychedelic Science By Benjamin Breen Even five years ago, psychedelics might have been accurately described as a horseshoe issue, picking up people on both extremes of the political spectrum. —Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2024

Theme is The Wizarding World of the Bluegrass, where horseshoes are wands and overalls are cloaks. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2024

There are horseshoes and cornhole and volleyball and basketball courts. —Tasha Zemke, Outside Online, 20 Sep. 2024

That distinct Central California DNA persists in the resort’s decor today, with horseshoes and lariats on the walls and local flora in the bungalow-style rooms. —Brett Evans, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing horseshoe

• horseshoe arch
• horseshoe crab

Kids Definition

horseshoe

noun

horse·​shoe ˈhȯrs-ˌshü 

ˈhȯrsh-

1

: a usually U-shaped band of iron shaped and nailed to the rim of a horse's hoof

2

: something shaped like a horseshoe

3

plural : a game in which horseshoes are tossed at a stake in the ground

horseshoe verb

horseshoer noun