shoring: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Formal
Quick answer
What does “shoring” mean?
The action or process of supporting a structure, typically a building, wall, or excavation, with props or beams to prevent collapse.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action or process of supporting a structure, typically a building, wall, or excavation, with props or beams to prevent collapse.
The act of providing temporary support or reinforcement, either physically (to a structure) or metaphorically (to an argument, economy, or position).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Both varieties use it primarily in construction/engineering contexts.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialised in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “shoring” in a Sentence
The [STRUCTURE] requires shoring.Workers are shoring up [STRUCTURE].They installed shoring to support [STRUCTURE].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shoring” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The crew are shoring up the trench walls before the dig continues.
- The council is shoring up the old sea defences.
American English
- Contractors are shoring up the foundation before the renovation.
- The policy is aimed at shoring up investor confidence.
adverb
British English
- N/A for this word.
American English
- N/A for this word.
adjective
British English
- The shoring beams were made of seasoned timber.
- A detailed shoring plan was submitted to the engineer.
American English
- The shoring contractor arrived on site at dawn.
- They reviewed the shoring design for the excavation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The government announced new measures aimed at shoring up the currency.'
Academic
Used in engineering, archaeology, and geology papers to describe support for excavations or unstable structures.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be heard in news reports about building safety or economic policy.
Technical
Primary context. Refers to temporary or permanent structural support systems in construction, mining, or shipbuilding.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shoring”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shoring”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shoring”
- Using 'shoring' as a common synonym for 'supporting' in non-technical contexts. Confusing 'shoring' (noun) with 'shoring up' (phrasal verb).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While most common for buildings and excavations, it's also used in shipbuilding, mining, and metaphorically for abstract concepts like economies or arguments.
Scaffolding is a temporary platform for workers. Shoring is a temporary support to hold a structure up and prevent collapse. Shoring is about strength; scaffolding is about access.
Yes, but it's almost always used as the phrasal verb 'shore up'. The simple verb 'to shore' is very rare.
No. It is a specialised, low-frequency term. Most learners will encounter it only in technical or specific news contexts.
The action or process of supporting a structure, typically a building, wall, or excavation, with props or beams to prevent collapse.
Shoring is usually technical / formal in register.
Shoring: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɔːrɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɔːrɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] shoring up defences / support / an argument”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SHORE holding back the sea. SHORING holds back a collapse, like a shore holds back water.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPORT IS PROPPING; PREVENTING COLLAPSE IS REINFORCING A WALL.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'shoring' LEAST likely to be used?