Looking up...
shield
/ʃiːld/
protective barrier
The knight raised his shield to block the arrow.
The knight used the shield to protect himself from the arrow.
literal
A broad piece of armor held to protect the body in combat.
Medieval warriors carried large wooden shields into battle.
Shields were essential for survival in hand-to-hand combat.
Often made of metal, wood, or other durable materials; historically used in warfare.
figurative
Something that protects or defends against harm or danger.
Education is a shield against ignorance.
Education helps protect people from misinformation.
Can refer to physical or abstract protection.
verb
To protect or defend from harm or danger.
The vaccine shields people from the virus.
The vaccine helps protect people from infection.
Often used in medical, technological, or metaphorical contexts.
figurative
A person or thing that protects or defends.
Her strong moral compass was a shield for the community.
Her integrity protected the community from corruption.
Common in social or psychological contexts.
Collocations
protective shielda barrier that guards against harmbody shielda shield held to protect the torsounder the shield ofprotected by or relying on someone/something
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Use 'shield' as a metaphor
In non-literal contexts, 'shield' often describes something that protects against intangible harm, like 'a shield against criticism' or 'a shield of privacy'.
Gold Rule
Distinguish literal vs. figurative uses
When 'shield' is used literally (e.g., a physical object), it refers to protection in combat. Figuratively, it can describe anything that safeguards against harm, danger, or criticism.
Word Origin
From Old English 'scield', related to Old Norse 'skjöldr' and Old High German 'scilt', all derived from Proto-Germanic '*skelduz'. The original sense was 'board, plank', later specialized to 'protective board' in combat.
Usage Notes
As a noun, 'shield' can refer to physical objects (e.g., a knight's shield) or abstract protections (e.g., a 'shield' against criticism). As a verb, it often implies active protection (e.g., 'The umbrella shielded us from the rain').
Word Breakdown
shield
protective barrier or defender
rootEnglish Dictionary