shed

verb (1)

\ ˈshed

shed; shedding

Definition of shed

(Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

1 chiefly dialectal : to set apart : segregate

2 : to cause to be dispersed without penetrating duck's plumage sheds water

3a : to cause (blood) to flow by cutting or wounding

b : to pour forth in drops shed tears

c : to give off or out sheds some light on the subject

4 : to give off, discharge, or expel from the body of a plant or animal: such as

a : to eject, slough off, or lose as part of the normal processes of life a caterpillar shedding its skin a cat shedding hair a deciduous tree sheds its leaves in the fall

b : to discharge usually gradually especially as part of a pathological process shed a virus in the feces

5 : to rid oneself of temporarily or permanently as superfluous or unwanted shed her inhibitions the company shed 100 jobs

intransitive verb

1 : to pour out : spill

2 : to become dispersed : scatter

3 : to cast off some natural covering (such as fur or skin) the cat is shedding

shed blood

: to cause death by violence

shed

noun (1)

Definition of shed (Entry 2 of 4)

1 obsolete : distinction, difference

2 : something (such as the skin of a snake) that is discarded in shedding

3 : a divide of land

shed

noun (2)

Definition of shed (Entry 3 of 4)

1a : a slight structure built for shelter or storage especially : a single-storied building with one or more sides unenclosed

b : a building that resembles a shed

2 archaic : hut

shed

verb (2)

shedded; shedding

Definition of shed (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

: to put or house in a shed

Other Words from shed Choose the Right Synonym Learn More about shed

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for shed

Verb (1)

discard, cast, shed, slough, scrap, junk mean to get rid of. discard implies the letting go or throwing away of something that has become useless or superfluous though often not intrinsically valueless. discard old clothes cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation. cast off her friends shed and slough imply a throwing off of something both useless and encumbering and often suggest a consequent renewal of vitality or luster. shed a bad habit finally sloughed off the depression scrap and junk imply throwing away or breaking up as worthless in existent form. scrap all the old ways would junk our educational system

First Known Use of shed

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1850, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for shed

Verb (1)

Middle English, to divide, separate, from Old English scēadan; akin to Old High German skeidan to separate, Latin scindere to split, cleave, Greek schizein to split

Noun (2)

alteration of earlier shadde, probably from Middle English shade shade

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for shed

shed

verb

\ ˈshed

shed; shedding

Kids Definition of shed

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to give off in drops They shed tears of joy.

2 : to get rid of I'm trying to shed some extra pounds.

3 : to give off or out Your explanation shed light on the subject.

4 : repel sense 3 Raincoats shed water.

5 : to lose or cast aside (a natural covering or part) The dog is shedding hair.

shed

noun

Kids Definition of shed (Entry 2 of 2)

: a small simple building used especially for storage

shed

transitive verb

\ ˈshed

shed

Definition of shed

Other Words from shed

Choose the Right Synonym for shed

First Known Use of shed

History and Etymology for shed

Kids Definition of shed

WORD OF THE DAY