# shed

/ˈʃɛd/ (US) · /ʃˈɛd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shed
Updated: 2026-07-09

## Senses

### 1. to lose hair or skin

verb · CEFR B2

to lose hair, skin, or leaves naturally.

For teachers: to cast off or lose a natural outer covering, such as fur, skin, or foliage, as part of a biological cycle.

- Our dog sheds a lot of fur in the springtime when the weather gets warmer.
- Deciduous trees shed their leaves in autumn to conserve water and energy during the harsh winter months.

### 2. to get rid of

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to stop having something that you do not want or need anymore.

For teachers: to divest oneself of something no longer desired or required, such as weight, jobs, or an image.

- The company had to shed 200 jobs to save money this year.
- The corporation sought to shed its image as a polluter by investing heavily in renewable energy projects.

Usage: Often used in business or health contexts regarding jobs or weight.

### 3. to produce light or tears

verb · CEFR B2

to allow something like light or tears to flow out.

For teachers: to cause a liquid to flow or to radiate light; frequently used in the collocations 'shed tears' or 'shed light'.

- The new evidence might shed some light on what really happened that night.
- She did not shed a single tear during the ceremony, maintaining a stoic expression throughout the proceedings.

### 4. small building

noun · CEFR A2

a small building, usually made of wood, used for storing garden tools.

For teachers: a simple, typically one-story outbuilding used for storage, shelter, or as a workshop.

- I keep the lawnmower and the flower pots in the shed at the back of the garden.
- He spent his weekends in the garden shed, meticulously restoring antique furniture away from the distractions of the main house.

## Examples

- The trees shed their leaves in autumn.
- The company plans to shed two hundred jobs as part of a major restructuring to save money.
- As the snake grows, it must periodically shed its old skin to accommodate its increasing size, a process known as ecdysis.

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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.