- 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 shed2 a large industrial building where work is done, large vehicles are kept or machinery is stored etc2 verb (T) past tense and past participle shed present participle shedding1 LIGHT if something sheds light, it lights the area around it: The lamp shed a yellow glow onto the desk.2 DROP/FALL OFFa) 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 it6 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: bloodshed7 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
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.