shore

1 of 3

noun (1)

often attributive
1
: the land bordering a usually large body of water
specifically : coast
2
: a boundary (as of a country) or an area within a boundary
usually used in plural
immigrated to these shores
3
: land as distinguished from the sea
shipboard and shore duty

shore

2 of 3

noun (2)

: a prop for preventing sinking or sagging

shore

3 of 3

verb

shored; shoring

transitive verb

1
: to support by a shore : prop
2
: to give support to : brace
usually used with up
trying to shore up his claim

Examples of shore in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Workers have been unpacking the 200 tons of food aid on smaller boats off the shore of the Gaza City neighborhood of Sheikh Ajleen, according to a journalist on the scene who works for CNN. Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 If Northland closed, Ashland − a city of about 8,000 on the shore of Lake Superior − would lose its only local four-year university. Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024 His family has renovated downtown Naples, Winnetka, Illinois, on the north shore of Chicago, and Avon, Colorado, the base of Beaver Creek Ski Mountain, Hoffmann said. Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 To prevent Gazans from getting on board — a prospect that aid workers fear would invite Israeli military action — the group has suggested that the the ship could tow a barge loaded with food pallets and then push it to shore. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Speaking to The Post on Tuesday, Andrés said that staff in Gaza working with World Central Kitchen had been building a jetty on the shore. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Whale slowly dying According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, a part of the USA TODAY Network, by late morning, hundreds of spectators lined the shore to see the whale. Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2024 Unwind after a strenuous morning of hiking at Seal Harbor Beach or along the shores of Echo Lake. Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2024 Many studies infer that the Spinosaurus waded in waters near the shore for a quick bite to eat. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
Our group of eight made our way from the ship to shore in a zodiac where a single gentoo penguin greeted us. Melissa McGibbon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2024 Even with small waves, getting Wessels to shore wasn’t easy, Weber said. Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 In photos taken of the star, he could be seen walking on to shore after a quick dip in the ocean in black swim trunks and black shades. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 28 Dec. 2023 After finally making it to shore, the desperate passengers try to evade police and a few manage to get away. Ed Meza, Variety, 15 Feb. 2024 Although the Rebels lost a few key players this season, Kiffin made sure to shore those losses up. Jon Hoefling, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2024 Day boat refers to fish that returns to shore the same day it was caught. The Indianapolis Star, 5 Jan. 2024 Bodies of soldiers lying on the beach at Betio where they had been obliged to wade to shore under enemy fire in the first stage of the attack. Natasha Frost Maud Bodoukian Meyrant, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023 The starting point is an abstract representation of a canoe, which, since the earliest Samoans rowed to shore from other islands, signals the start of Samoan society. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 10 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shore.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English *scor; akin to Middle Low German schōr foreland and perhaps to Old English scieran to cut — more at shear

Noun (2)

Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch scōre prop, Middle Low German schōre

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shore was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near shore

Cite this Entry

“Shore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shore. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

shore

1 of 3 noun
ˈshō(ə)r How to pronounce shore (audio)
ˈshȯ(ə)r
: the land along the edge of a body of water (as the sea)

shore

2 of 3 verb
shored; shoring
: to support with one or more bracing timbers
shore up a house foundation

shore

3 of 3 noun
: a prop or support placed under or against something to support it
Etymology

Noun

Middle English shore "the land on the edge of a body of water"

Verb

Middle English shoren "to support, brace"

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