# shards

/ˈʃɑɹdz/ (US) · /ʃˈɑːdz/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shards
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

sharp, broken pieces of something hard like glass, metal, or stone. You usually find them after something has smashed or exploded.

For teachers: sharp fragments of a brittle substance, such as glass, ceramic, or metal, typically resulting from a forceful breakage.

## Examples

- Be careful of the glass shards on the floor.
- The explosion sent shards of metal flying across the room, damaging the nearby furniture.
- Archaeologists carefully sifted through the dirt to recover tiny ceramic shards that might reveal the decorative patterns used by the ancient civilization.

## Usage notes

- Typically used in the plural to describe a collection of fragments; the singular 'shard' refers to one specific piece.

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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.