pruning shears

American  

noun

(usually used with a plural verb)

1. small, sturdy shears used for pruning shrubbery.

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Etymology

Origin of pruning shears

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

Instead the final four candidates for the job were a range of eager submissives, each straining to appear enthusiastic to pick up the pruning shears and start cutting rates by the bunch:

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

Citizen scientists are the eyes, ears and pruning shears of TACF.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2023

During those searches, two blue crowbars, pruning shears and a cutting tool were found in a nearby pond and in the Paar River, the statement said.

From New York Times • Jul. 21, 2023

Her father, Gary Risling, snapped the picture after she’d taken pruning shears to her long chocolate brown locks.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2023

Their garage, like every other, contains shovels and pruning shears and a sled.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri