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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

shield

/ˈʃild/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:55
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What does shield mean?

noun

  1. A broad piece of defensive armor, held in hand, formerly in general use in war, for the protection of the body.
  2. (figuratively) One who protects or defends.
  3. A featherless, flat, fleshy protuberance on the head; a frontal shield.
More meanings (20)

noun

  1. A flattish patch of iridescent feathers.
  2. A heavily hardened, protective plate on an insect's exoskeleton that covers part of its body.
  3. In lichens, a hardened cup or disk surrounded by a rim and containing the fructification, or asci.
  4. A framework used to protect workmen in making an adit under ground, and capable of being pushed along as excavation progresses.
  5. A field of energy that protects or defends.
  6. The escutcheon on which are placed the bearings in coats of arms.
  7. A spot resembling, or having the form of a shield.
  8. A sign or symbol, usually containing numbers and sometimes letters, identifying a highway route.
  9. A police badge.
  10. A large expanse of exposed stable Precambrian rock.
  11. A wide and relatively low-profiled volcano, usually composed entirely of lava flows.
  12. Parts at the front and back of a vehicle which are meant to absorb the impact of a collision
  13. A circuit board that can connect to an Arduino microcontroller and extend its capabilities.
  14. (obsolete) A toilet seat.
  15. (obsolete) A coin, the old French crown, or écu, having on one side the figure of a shield.
  16. (figuratively, obsolete) A place with a toilet seat: an outhouse; a lavatory.

verb

  1. To protect, to defend.
  2. To shelter; to protect oneself.
  3. To protect from the influence of.

proper noun

  1. A surname.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈʃild/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

When the battle was over our new acquaintance turned to me, and removing the shield from his wrist, held it out.
Edgar Rice BurroughsThe warlord of MarsProject Gutenberg ebook #68
It not only serves as a shield to the Executive, but it furnishes an additional security against the enaction of improper laws.
Alexander Hamilton; John Jay; James MadisonThe Federalist PapersProject Gutenberg ebook #18
More book examples (3)
Secondly, any knight proposing to combat, might, if he pleased, select a special antagonist from among the challengers, by touching his shield.
Walter ScottIvanhoe: A RomanceProject Gutenberg ebook #82
According to the father his wife's falsifications are merely to shield the children and she only shows the ordinary deceit of woman.
William Healy; Mary Tenney HealyPathology of Lying, Accusation, and Swindling: A Study in Forensic PsychologyProject Gutenberg ebook #449
One man has a bark shield, and he has to defend himself with it from the bark toy boomerangs the others throw.
K. Langloh (Katie Langloh) ParkerThe Euahlayi Tribe: A Study of Aboriginal Life in AustraliaProject Gutenberg ebook #3819