snowshoe

1 of 2

noun

snow·​shoe ˈsnō-ˌshü 

: a usually lightweight platform for the foot that is designed to enable a person to walk on soft snow without sinking and that typically consists of an oblong frame crossed with leather thongs or synthetic material

Illustration of snowshoe

snowshoe

2 of 2

verb

snowshoed; snowshoeing

intransitive verb

: to travel on snowshoes

snowshoer

ˈsnō-ˌshü-ər 

noun

Examples of snowshoe in a Sentence

Verb

We snowshoed through the woods.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Skis and snowshoes were almost necessary for travel. —Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

For those new to winter hiking, Berman suggests a snowshoe class available at REI. —Mindy Sink, The Denver Post, 26 Nov. 2024

Verb

Skating on frozen ponds and lakes is a winter rite of passage, along with snowshoeing across pristine state and national parks with trails and spectacular viewscapes. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

Cross-country ski and snowshoe 15 to 20 miles of routes in the region—but beware that no trails are groomed or marked. —Kayla Brock, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1666, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1880, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing snowshoe

• snowshoe hare

Kids Definition

snowshoe

1 of 2 noun

snow·​shoe -ˌshü 

: a light frame (as of wood or aluminum) strung with a net that is attached to the foot to prevent sinking in soft snow

snowshoe

2 of 2 verb

snowshoed; snowshoeing

: to travel on snowshoes