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

• 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

"This fossil documents the Cambrian origin of chelicerates," noted Lerosey-Aubril, "and shows that the anatomical blueprint of spiders and horseshoe crabs was already emerging 500 million years ago."

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

We understand the appeal of the horseshoe, but our research suggests that the real story is more complicated in two important regards.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Byrne’s well-earned accolades allow “Tow” to fare better than it otherwise would have, while also causing “Tow” to horseshoe back to its starting point as an overall puzzling career choice.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

“That horseshoe shape of the Strait keeps ships in the most dangerous area for a long time.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Without waiting for the Varangian to look at her, she flung the horseshoe with all her strength.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Related Words

• arc
• arch
• contour
• loop
• trajectory