shield

I UK [ʃiːld] / US [ʃɪld] noun [countable]
Word forms "shield":
singular shield plural shields
**

1) an object that soldiers carried in the past to protect themselves from being hit

a) a riot shield that police officers carry to protect them

b) an object that protects a particular part of your body, for example the gum shield that boxers wear to protect their teeth

c) someone or something that protects you from harm or bad experiences

shield against:

weapons systems designed to provide a shield against nuclear attack

My relationship with my sister was a shield against the ugliness of our childhood.

2) a design shaped like a soldier's shield, especially one used on a badge or a coat of arms

a) an object shaped like a shield given to the winner of a competition

b) a competition in which the prize is a shield

II UK [ʃiːld] / US [ʃɪld] verb [transitive]
Word forms "shield":
present tense I/you/we/they shield he/she/it shields present participle shielding past tense shielded past participle shielded
*

1) [often passive] to protect something, usually from being hit, touched, or seen

shield something from something:

These plants should be shielded from direct sunlight.

shield something from view:

The house was shielded from view by tall trees.

shield your eyes/face:

She shielded her eyes against the sun's glare.

2) to protect someone from something unpleasant

shield someone from something:

He is anxious to shield his children from the press.

3) in sport, to keep your body close to the ball and prevent an opponent from touching it