shire

[ʃaɪə(r)]

shire Definition

• 1. a British county, especially one that has a lord lieutenant instead of a high sheriff
• 2. a territorial or administrative division, especially in Australia and New Zealand

Using shire: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "shire" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  I live in the county of Shropshire.

• Example

  The shire of York is located in the north of England.

• Example

  The shire system was introduced to Australia by the British colonial government.

shire Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for shire

• county
• province
• territory
• region
• district

Phrases with shire

• the Shire

  a region in J.R.R. Tolkien's fictional Middle-earth, inhabited by hobbits

  Example

  Frodo Baggins lived in the Shire before embarking on his journey to destroy the One Ring.

• shire horse

  a large breed of draft horse originally from the English shires

  Example

  The shire horse is known for its strength and gentle temperament.

• shire town

  the main town or administrative center of a shire

  Example

  The shire town of Essex County is Guildhall.

Origins of shire

from Old English 'scir', meaning 'administrative office'

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Summary: shire in Brief

The term 'shire' [ʃaɪə(r)] refers to a British county, often with a lord lieutenant instead of a high sheriff, or a territorial or administrative division in Australia and New Zealand. Examples include 'I live in the county of Shropshire' and 'The shire system was introduced to Australia by the British colonial government.' 'Shire' also appears in phrases like 'the Shire,' a region in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, and 'shire horse,' a large breed of draft horse originally from the English shires.