# Shire

/ˈʃaɪɹ/ (US) · /ʃˈaɪə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shire
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a county

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a traditional name for a county or administrative area in the UK.

For teachers: a traditional administrative district in the United Kingdom, historically governed by a sheriff and often appearing as a suffix in county names.

- He grew up in a quiet shire in the middle of England.
- The historical boundaries of the shire have remained largely unchanged since the eleventh century, despite modern administrative reorganisations.

Usage: Often used as a suffix in names like 'Hertfordshire' or 'Yorkshire'.

### 2. rural areas

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

the rural parts of England, away from the big cities.

For teachers: the rural or provincial parts of central and southern England, often implying a traditional or conservative social environment.

- Many people moved from London to the shires to find a slower pace of life.
- Political commentators often look to the shires to gauge the mood of traditional conservative voters before a general election.

Teaching tip: When used in the plural ('the shires'), it specifically evokes a sense of traditional, wealthy, rural English life.

### 3. a large horse

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Technical

a very large and strong breed of horse used for pulling heavy loads.

For teachers: a large, powerful breed of British draught horse, typically bay, black, or grey with feathered legs.

- The farmer used a pair of shires to pull the heavy wooden cart.
- Although machinery has replaced them in industry, the shire remains a popular sight at agricultural shows across the country.

## Examples

- He grew up in a quiet shire in the middle of England.
- The local council manages several historic shires, ensuring that the rural boundaries remain protected from urban sprawl.

---

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.