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
Examples of horseshoe in a Sentence
The lake was a horseshoe surrounded by tall pine trees.
Recent Examples on the Web
In this way, the event was a very public demonstration of MAHA’s horseshoe politics.
—
Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Their postseason has seen a continuation of that hand-grenade-and-horseshoe acumen, though the Kings have held out hope until the bitter end.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Cut and stitched in Arusha, 10 tents—including two family suites—form a horseshoe from the main area, each filled with wooden furnishings crafted by local carpenters.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
From 1875 to 1929 it was delineated by a simple circle outlined in chalk (hence the name), but today the circle is much more esteemed with presentation stands and roses planted in the shape of a horseshoe.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horseshoe
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Their postseason has seen a continuation of that hand-grenade-and-horseshoe acumen, though the Kings have held out hope until the bitter end.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Cut and stitched in Arusha, 10 tents—including two family suites—form a horseshoe from the main area, each filled with wooden furnishings crafted by local carpenters.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
From 1875 to 1929 it was delineated by a simple circle outlined in chalk (hence the name), but today the circle is much more esteemed with presentation stands and roses planted in the shape of a horseshoe.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horseshoe
Cite this Entry
“Horseshoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horseshoe. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
