shoehorn

1 of 2

noun

shoe·​horn ˈshü-ˌhȯrn How to pronounce shoehorn (audio)
: a curved piece (as of horn, wood, or metal) used in putting on a shoe

shoehorn

2 of 2

verb

shoehorned; shoehorning; shoehorns

transitive verb

1
: to force to be included or admitted
shoehorned irrelevant arguments into his essay
2
: to force or compress into an insufficient space or period of time : squeeze
shoehorn the past, present, and future into about 500 pagesOtis Port

Examples of shoehorn in a Sentence

Verb A parking garage has been shoehorned between the buildings. She's trying to shoehorn a year's worth of classes into a single semester. I don't know how they managed to shoehorn everyone into that little room.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Other useful features include an interior mesh pocket, which can be used for storing accessories (socks, heel pads, shoehorns, etc.) and a top handle for easy transportation. Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 13 Oct. 2023 Marino honored Peninsula must-haves, like enormous walk-in dressing rooms with full sartorial knickknacks—who doesn’t need a shoehorn? Linda Laban, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2023
Verb
Since the director shoehorns himself into a cameo at the very end to arbitrarily explain away one potential plot hole and do some damage control, the final result is mediocre at best. Dan Heching, CNN, 6 Aug. 2024 Are there really any consequences to directors, executives and insiders after a firm’s demise? Firms that shoehorn under the ECG minimums seemingly hold an upside-only opportunity. Noah Barsky, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shoehorn 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1589, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shoehorn was in 1589

Dictionary Entries Near shoehorn

Cite this Entry

“Shoehorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoehorn. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

shoehorn

noun
shoe·​horn
-ˌhȯrn
: a curved piece (as of metal) to help in putting on a shoe
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!