n. 1 the land that adjoins the sea or a large body of water. 2 (usu. in pl.) a country; a sea-coast (often visits these shores; on a distant shore). 3 Law land between ordinary high and low water marks. in shore on the water near or nearer to the shore (cf. INSHORE). on shore ashore. shore-based operating from a base on shore. shore leave Naut. 1 permission to go ashore. 2 a period of time ashore. shoreless adj. shoreward adj. & adv. shorewards adv.
[ ME f. MDu., MLG schore, perh. f. the root of SHEAR ]