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

As for Annie’s footwear, Jimmy was fascinated with her horseshoes—a perfect excuse to introduce the iconic lawn game. —Carley Thornell, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024

Sitting at a horseshoe bend of Blunn Creek, this six-plus-acre park serves the Travis Heights-Fairview Park neighborhood and is heavily wooded with a large field in the center. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 4 Nov. 2024

The back lawn has games like giant Jenga and Connect Four, corn hole, and horseshoes. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2024

The denim brand released Exaggerated Icons, a men’s and women’s collection that fuses past and present styles inspired by its original horseshoe and buddha logos. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 19 Aug. 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