# shard

/ˈʃɑɹd/ (US) · /ʃˈɑːd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shard
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a small, sharp piece of something that has been broken. In computing, it can also mean a small piece of data or a part of a larger system.

For teachers: a small, sharp fragment of a broken object; in a technical context, a discrete portion of a larger data set or a component of a distributed system.

## Examples

- A shard of glass cut my hand.
- The developer split the large database into smaller shards to improve the website's performance.
- After the glass shattered, a single shard embedded itself in the wooden frame, leaving a small but deep puncture that required immediate attention.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.