WordGarden.ioshore
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʃˈɔː/
US
- /ˈʃɔr/
Meanings
Noun
land along the edge of a sea, lake, or river
Verb
to support or reinforce something with props or braces
Beyond the definition
The shore is where land meets a sea, lake, or river. It can be sandy, rocky, or muddy, and it is often a place where people walk, swim, fish, or rest by the water. You might collect shells on the shore, watch waves roll in, or sit quietly and listen to the tide. The word can also be used in a more figurative way to suggest safety or the end of a hard journey, as in reaching the shore after a storm.
The shore refers to the land along the edge of a sea, lake, or river. It is more than just a line on a map; it is a changing place shaped by water, weather, and time. A sandy shore may be filled with swimmers and walkers, while a rocky shore may hold pools of water and small sea life. The word can describe a quiet lakeside edge, a wide beach by the ocean, or the bank beside a river.
In practical and nautical use, "shore" appears in phrases like "shore leave," which means time that a sailor spends on land away from the ship. The word also appears in the phrasal verb "shore up." To shore something up means to support it or strengthen it, either in a physical sense, like supporting a weak wall, or in a figurative sense, like helping a weak plan or economy.
In stories and everyday speech, the shore often suggests both arrival and departure. It can be the place where a trip begins, where someone returns home, or where danger finally ends. Writers often use it as an image of safety, distance, or change. Whether you picture crashing waves, a calm riverbank, or the end of a long journey, the shore is a place where land and water, movement and rest, meet.
Examples
- 1
Seaside walk
We walked along the shore until the sun went down.
- 2
Water safety
The kids stayed close to shore because the waves were rough.
- 3
Sea travel
After two days at sea, the sailors were glad to be back on shore.
- Phraseon shore
on land, not at sea
- 4
Boat watching
We watched the fishing boats from the shore.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Lake geography
Their cabin stands on the eastern shore of the lake.
- 6
Migration
Many migrants reached these shores after a dangerous journey.
- Usagethese shores
this country’s or region’s coast, often in news or formal writing
- 7
Political support
The government is trying to shore up public support before the vote.
- Phraseshore up
support something and stop it from failing
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- shorenounverb
Forms
- shorespluralnounverb
- shoring-ing formverbnoun
- shoredpast tenseverbnoun