shore

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈshȯr 

often attributive

1

: the land bordering a usually large body of water

specifically : coast

2

: a boundary (as of a country) or an area within a boundary

—usually used in plural

immigrated to these shores

3

: land as distinguished from the sea

shipboard and shore duty

shore

2 of 3

noun (2)

: a prop for preventing sinking or sagging

shore

3 of 3

verb

shored; shoring

transitive verb

1

: to support by a shore : prop

2

: to give support to : brace

—usually used with up

trying to shore up his claim

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• brace
• buttress
• mount
• mounting
• prop
• reinforcement
• spur
• stay
• support
• underpinning

Verb

• bear
• bolster
• brace
• buttress
• carry
• prop (up)
• stay
• support
• sustain
• undergird
• underpin
• uphold

Examples of shore in a Sentence

Noun (2)

the carpenter placed a shore underneath the sagging roof of the porch

Verb

a highway tunnel shored up by massive columns of concrete

used an avalanche of statistics to shore up his claim that the state's economy is in fine shape

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In other words, if lake rules say recreational boats need to stay about 200 feet from shore at high speeds, wake boats should stay more than 500 feet. —Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 20 June 2024

One of the girls was transported to the shore by the operator of the Sea Ray, while the other girl was taken ashore by the operator of another passing boat. —Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 20 June 2024

From the shores of West Africa to the shores of Florida, those inspiring encounters somehow fit into her suitcases. —Tabnie Dozier, Essence, 19 June 2024

Whale-watching excursions and boat tours out to the enchanting island of Cape Clear bring enthusiastic visitors down to Baltimore's shores every year, though there are also plenty of solid reasons to remain on land. —James March, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English *scor; akin to Middle Low German schōr foreland and perhaps to Old English scieran to cut — more at shear

Noun (2)

Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch scōre prop, Middle Low German schōre

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shore

• hug the shore
• lee shore
• shore dinner
• shore leave
• shore patrol
• shore up

Kids Definition

shore

1 of 3 noun

ˈshō(ə)r 

ˈshȯ(ə)r

: the land along the edge of a body of water (as the sea)

shore

2 of 3 verb

shored; shoring

: to support with one or more bracing timbers

shore up a house foundation

shore

3 of 3 noun

: a prop or support placed under or against something to support it

Etymology

Noun

Middle English shore "the land on the edge of a body of water"

Verb

Middle English shoren "to support, brace"