shield
SHEELD
Shield (noun) means a piece of protective armour carried in the hand or on the arm to block blows or weapons. Example: “The child's costume included a wooden shield painted with a bright star.”
noun
1
A piece of protective armour carried in the hand or on the arm to block blows or weapons.
"The child's costume included a wooden shield painted with a bright star."
"The knight raised his shield to block the arrow."
"Riot police carried shields as the crowd surged forward."
2
Anything that protects or defends against harm, danger, or influence.
"He held up the folder as a shield against the sudden downpour."
"The trees acted as a shield against the wind."
"Sunscreen is a shield against harmful UV rays."
3
An inverted-triangle shape used for badges, logos, or coats of arms; also, informally, a police badge.
"The school's crest is a golden shield with a blue tower."
"The police officer showed his shield to the receptionist."
"The detective flashed his shield at the door."
verb
1
To protect or defend someone or something from harm.
"The old oak tree shielded the picnic table from the worst of the rain."
"She shielded her eyes from the bright sun."
"The company shielded its employees from the worst of the layoffs."
How to use shield
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething (or someone) that blocks harm, whether it is a physical piece of armour or a figurative form of protection.
Common pairings
shield someone from
raise a shield
a shield against
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Word forms
- Plural
- shields
- Third person singular
- shields
- Past tense
- shielded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The child's costume included a wooden _____ painted with a bright star.
Etymology
From Old English scield ("shield"), tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to cut" or "split" — the original shields were likely cut from wood or hide.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for shield
See all rhymes for shield →Frequently asked questions
What does “shield” mean?
The word “shield” means a piece of protective armour carried in the hand or on the arm to block blows or weapons. In plain terms, something (or someone) that blocks harm, whether it is a physical piece of armour or a figurative form of protection.
How do you pronounce “shield”?
“Shield” is pronounced SHEELD (/ˈʃild/ in IPA).
How do you use “shield” in a sentence?
Here is “shield” used in a sentence: “The knight raised his shield to block the arrow.”
What is another word for “shield”?
Words with a similar meaning to “shield” include bathroom.
What part of speech is “shield”?
Depending on how it is used, “shield” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shield” come from?
The word “shield” comes from Old English. From Old English scield ("shield"), tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to cut" or "split" — the original shields were likely cut from wood or hide.
Is “shield” a common word?
“Shield” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “shield” have?
“Shield” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of protective armour carried in the hand or on the arm to block blows or weapons.
What is the difference between a shield and armour?
A shield is a separate piece of protective armour carried in the hand or strapped to the arm to block blows and weapons. Armour, more broadly, is worn on the body itself, while a shield is a mobile barrier you hold and manoeuvre to intercept incoming attacks.
When is 'shield' used figuratively rather than literally?
Beyond the physical object, 'shield' often means anything that protects or defends against harm, danger, or influence, as in a 'shield against criticism' or a 'human shield'. In this figurative sense it works as both a noun and a verb, as in 'to shield someone from bad news'.
What words commonly go with 'shield'?
Common collocations include 'shield against', 'shield from', 'protective shield', and 'human shield'. As a verb, you typically shield someone or something 'from' a threat, danger, or unwanted influence.
Is 'shield' the same as 'protect'?
They overlap but differ in nuance. 'Protect' is a broad, general verb for keeping something safe, while 'shield' suggests placing a specific barrier between someone and a threat, emphasising the act of blocking or deflecting rather than general safekeeping.
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