horseshoes
horseshoes Lexical Profile
horseshoes Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Plural form of horseshoe: U-shaped metal bands nailed to the hooves of horses to protect them from wear and damage.
"The blacksmith forged four new horseshoes and fitted them onto the mare's hooves."
An outdoor game in which players take turns tossing U-shaped metal plates at a stake in the ground, aiming to encircle the stake or land closer to it than their opponent.
"Every summer afternoon at the family reunion, my uncles set up a game of horseshoes in the backyard."
• verb
To fit or equip a horse with metal shoes (third-person singular simple present of horseshoe).
"The experienced farrier horseshoes all the thoroughbreds at the local stable."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the outdoor lawn game, 'horseshoes' is plural in form but takes a singular verb (e.g., 'Horseshoes is played by pitching metal shoes at a stake').