shebang

[ shuh-bang ]

See synonyms for shebang on Thesaurus.com

noun

Informal. the structure of something, as of an organization, contrivance, or affair: The whole shebang fell apart when the chairman quit.
a primitive dwelling; shack; shanty.

Origin of shebang

1860–65, Americanism; origin uncertain (perhaps alteration of char-à-banc, though sense shift unclear; shebeen, often cited as the source, is implausible both phonetically and semantically)

Words Nearby shebang

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use shebang in a sentence

When Google Ads expanded match types to include close variants, keywords with the same meaning, the whole shebang, this tactic lost a lot of power.
Google Ads for B2B: How to overcome challenges, platform limitations | Andrea Cruz | July 26, 2022 | Search Engine Land
Here are a few reasons the whole shebang can get under the skin of people who care about movies and TV, and why you shouldn’t take snubs on Globes night too seriously.
The case against caring about the Golden Globes | Alissa Wilkinson | February 26, 2021 | Vox
If those investments start really paying off, she could make a case to lead the whole shebang one day.
The Women Reshaping the C-Suite | Nick Fouriezos | January 24, 2021 | Ozy
Sheppard, in his second season running the whole shebang, said last month when rumors erupted of a possible Wall for Westbrook swap that there was nothing to it.
John Wall never let down Southeast D.C. even if the basketball was frustrating | Kevin Blackistone | December 3, 2020 | Washington Post
Swelling, pus, the whole shebang; an angry reaction that lasted weeks.
Uh Oh: Ebola Vaccine Trials Stop | Leigh Cowart | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

And, of course, the whole shebang can be topped with a dollop of hot cheese.
Classics Get a Cheesy Twist at Fall River Spot | Jane & Michael Stern | May 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
I grew up wanting the whole shebang: Prince Charming, white picket fence and our cooing angel-faced children.
Why I Choose to Be Child-Free: Readers Share Their Stories | Harry Siegel | February 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
They want the whole, glorious wedding shebang—including the significant white gown.
The Power of the Wedding Dress | Robin Givhan | October 3, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
You're mighty slow in learning that it ain't best to kick against the pricks in this 'ere shebang.
Shadow, the Mysterious Detective | Police Captain Howard
As for Mabel, she was one of them gushy, goo-gooey kind of girls, and she was as struck with the shebang as her dad.
Cape Cod Stories | Joseph C. Lincoln
The judge looked the shebang over sourly but finally nodded agreement.
Highways in Hiding | George Oliver Smith
I honestly b'lieve it come of us bein' on shore and runnin' the shebang on a share and share alike idee.
Cap'n Eri | Joseph Crosby Lincoln
The whole shebang will go to pieces and the boys will be killed.
Boy Scouts in the Northwest | G. Harvey Ralphson

British Dictionary definitions for shebang

shebang

/ (ʃɪˈbæŋ) /

nounslang

a situation, matter, or affair (esp in the phrase the whole shebang)
a hut or shack

Origin of shebang

C19: of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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