horseshoe

American  

[hawrs-shoo, hawrsh-] / ˈhɔrsˌʃu, ˈhɔrʃ- /

noun

1. a U -shaped metal plate, plain or with calks, nailed to a horse's hoof to protect it from being injured by hard or rough surfaces.

2. something U -shaped, as a valley, river bend, or other natural feature.

   We picnicked in the middle of a horseshoe of trees.

3. (used with a singular verb) horseshoes, a game in which horseshoes or other U -shaped pieces of metal, plastic, etc., are tossed at an iron stake 30 or 40 feet (9 or 12 meters) away in order to encircle it or to come closer to it than one's opponent.

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verb (used with object)

horseshoed, horseshoeing

1. to put a horseshoe or horseshoes on.

adjective

1. having the shape of a horseshoe; U -shaped.

   a horseshoe bend in the river.

horseshoe British  

/ ˈhɔːsˌʃuː /

noun

1. a piece of iron shaped like a U with the ends curving inwards that is nailed to the underside of the hoof of a horse to protect the soft part of the foot from hard surfaces: commonly thought to be a token of good luck

2. an object of similar shape

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verb

1. (tr) to fit with a horseshoe; shoe

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• horseshoer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of horseshoe

1350–1400; Middle English. See horse, shoe

Explanation

When you think of a horseshoe, don't picture a shoe with a sole and laces! Instead, a horseshoe is an arc-shaped piece of metal that gets nailed into the horse's hoof. Ever since humans started using horses for riding, pulling carts, and working on farms, they've found ways to guard their hooves against wear and injury. Horseshoes can be nailed onto the thick, fingernail-like hoof, or glued on. Some people consider horseshoes to be lucky symbols as well, while others enjoy the game called horseshoes, which involves throwing large horseshoes toward a metal stake in the ground.

Example Sentences

Some swear it’s a walrus mustache in the style of Wilford Brimley or Teddy Roosevelt, while others argue it’s a horseshoe version like the one worn by Hulk Hogan.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

The diplomats, Sherman explained, sat in a horseshoe formation and spoke one by one.

From Slate • May 1, 2026

The 2.25-mile electric train system is designed to help reduce airport congestion by connecting terminals, parking lots and passenger pickup and drop-off areas — ferrying riders over the airport’s notorious horseshoe loop.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Beneath the body were plate-like respiratory structures that resemble the book gills seen in modern horseshoe crabs.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

‘Us haven’t had anything since Saturday. Us have just been enjoying our horseshoe game.’

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Related Words

• arc
• arch
• contour
• loop
• trajectory