shed

1 noun (C)

1 a small building, often made of wood, used especially for storing things: We had a tool shed in our back yard. | a cattle shed | a garden shed

2 a large industrial building where work is done, large vehicles are kept or machinery is stored etc

2 verb (T) past tense and past participle shed present participle shedding

1 LIGHT if something sheds light, it lights the area around it: The lamp shed a yellow glow onto the desk.

2 DROP/FALL OFF

a) to drop something or allow it to fall: He strode across the bathroom, shedding wet clothes as he went.

b) if an animal sheds skin or hair or a plant sheds leaves etc, they fall off as part of a natural process: Deciduous trees shed their leaves in autumn. | As it grows, a snake will regularly shed its skin.

3 GET RID OF to get rid of something that you no longer need or want: The company is planning to shed about a quarter of its workforce. | I shed my inhibitions and joined the dancing. | shed pounds/stones (=get thinner by losing several pounds etc): I'd like to shed a few pounds.

4 shed light on to make something easier to understand, by providing new or better information: We're hoping his letter will shed some light on the mystery.

5 WATER if something sheds water, the water flows off its surface, instead of sinking into it

6 shed blood to kill or injure people, especially during a war or a fight: Too much blood has already been shed in this conflict.

—see also: bloodshed

7 shed tears especially literary to cry: She had not shed a single tear during the funeral.

8 shed its load BrE if a vehicle sheds its load, the goods it is carrying accidentally fall off