a broad, usually curved piece of strong material that you hold or wear to stop blows, arrows, or other attacks
The knight raised his shield to stop the arrow.
Factory workers wear a clear plastic face shield when using the grinder.
✦ Old English scield, scild, from Proto-Germanic *skelduz “split, divide, board, shield”, related to *skel- “to cut, split”.
something or someone that keeps you safe from harm, criticism, or other unpleasant things
Sunscreen acts as a shield against harmful UV rays.
Her older brother became a shield for her when bullies approached.
to protect someone or something from danger, harm, or unwanted influence
The sunglasses shield your eyes from bright sunlight.
She shielded the candle with her hand so the wind would not blow it out.
a stylized outline, usually shaped like a medieval shield, used on a coat of arms, badge, or logo to carry symbols
The family crest is painted on a blue shield above the fireplace.
The football team’s logo features a red shield with a lion in the center.
a large, stable area of very old, exposed rocks forming the ancient core of a continent
Canada’s Laurentian Shield covers millions of square kilometers of granite.
Geologists study the Brazilian shield to learn about early continental formation.
