shield
B1neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
A broad piece of armor, carried for defense against blows or projectiles; something that serves as a protective barrier or defense.
A person or thing providing protection; a protective plate or screen in machinery; a heraldic emblem; a police badge; in physics, a structure or material protecting against radiation or electromagnetic interference; in sports, a protective covering or guard.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core sense is physical protection (noun) and the act of protecting (verb). It implies active defense or blocking, rather than passive shelter. The verb often involves interposing something between a threat and a vulnerable target.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Shield' is used identically in core meanings. The verb is slightly more common in American legal/insurance contexts (e.g., 'shield laws'). The heraldic sense is more frequent in UK historical/ceremonial contexts.
Connotations
Equally strong connotations of defense, chivalry, and protection in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
shield somebody/something from somebody/somethingshield somebody/something against somethingbe shielded by somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the other side of the shield (the opposite aspect of a situation)”
- “hide behind someone's shield (use someone else for protection)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to legal/financial protections (e.g., 'corporate shield', 'tax shield').
Academic
Used in history, literature, physics (radiation shielding), engineering, and law.
Everyday
Referring to sun shields in cars, protective gear, or metaphorically (e.g., 'shield your eyes').
Technical
In electronics (EMI/RF shield), welding (face shield), aerospace (thermal shield), and medicine (lead shield for X-rays).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She tried to shield her children from the distressing news.
- The hedges shield the garden from the coastal winds.
- The company was accused of shielding the executive from investigation.
American English
- He shielded his eyes from the sun with his hand.
- The law is designed to shield whistleblowers from retaliation.
- Use sunscreen to shield your skin from UV rays.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable/common.
American English
- Not applicable/common.
adjective
British English
- The shield wall of the ancient army was formidable.
- He took a shield-bearing position at the front.
American English
- The shield volcano is a broad, dome-shaped formation.
- The shield cable prevents signal interference.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The knight carried a big, round shield.
- She used her bag to shield her face from the rain.
- The police officer held up a riot shield during the protest.
- Parents often try to shield their children from danger.
- The new regulations are intended to shield consumers from fraudulent practices.
- The spacecraft's heat shield protected it during re-entry.
- The legal doctrine of sovereign immunity can shield governments from certain lawsuits.
- His cynicism acted as an emotional shield, preventing genuine connection.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A knight on a FIELD holds a SHIELD.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A SHIELD (e.g., 'shield of ignorance', 'shield the public from bad news').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'щит' (which is correct) and 'экран' (screen/monitor). 'Shield' implies physical blocking/protection, not just a display surface. The verb 'to shield' is more specific than 'защищать' (to protect) – it implies putting something in between.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'shield someone of something' (correct: 'shield someone from/against something').
- Spelling confusion: 'sheild'.
- Using 'shield' for a soft or flexible cover (a 'shield' is typically rigid).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'shield' used metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is commonly used metaphorically for non-physical protection (e.g., legal shield, shield someone from blame).
'Shield' specifically suggests placing a barrier between a threat and what is being defended. 'Protect' is a broader, more general term.
Rarely. It is almost always transitive, requiring a direct object (what is being shielded) and often a 'from/against' phrase (the threat).
A person or group of people used to deter an attack, as their presence makes attacking morally or tactically difficult for an opponent.