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

The shape of the watch is inspired by Bugatti’s famous horseshoe grill, while its manual-winding movement and automaton are inspired by the Bugatti’s W16 engine block. —Sophie Furley, Robb Report, 18 Jan. 2025

In a nondescript ballroom at the base’s officers’ club, Mr. Austin and General Milley, flanked by their Ukrainian and German counterparts, sat at the head of a horseshoe arrangement of folding tables alongside representatives from 40 countries. —John Ismay, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025

Read: The horseshoe theory of Google Search Google is not the only competitor with an ecosystem advantage. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2024

Family-friendly lawn games including horseshoes and cornhole will also be available. —Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 5 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