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

What to Consider The horseshoe shape can be limiting in some sleeping situations. —Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025

His silver belt buckle was a horseshoe enclosing the initials J.C. —Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024

Princess Charlotte, now 9, wore a diamond horseshoe brooch to Queen Elizabeth's funeral on September 19, 2022, at Westminster Abbey. —Janine Henni, People.com, 20 Feb. 2025

This was yet another game in which United were stuck slowly passing the ball in a horseshoe from one wing-back, through the back three, and into the other. —Carl Anka, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing horseshoe

• horseshoe arch
• horseshoe crab

Rhymes for horseshoe

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

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