shanty

1 of 2

noun (1)

shan·​ty ˈshan- How to pronounce shanty (audio)
Synonyms of shantynext

variant spelling of chantey

: a song sung by sailors in rhythm with their work

shanty

2 of 2

noun (2)

shan·​ty ˈshan-tē How to pronounce shanty (audio)
plural shanties
: a small crudely built dwelling or shelter usually of wood

Examples of shanty in a Sentence

Noun (2) lived just off the beach in a crude shanty
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Even Venezuela’s shanties were made with solid construction materials such as brick and concrete, made cheap by a strong bolivar, Venezuela’s currency. The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026 California’s homelessness crisis is especially visible in downtown Los Angeles, where hundreds of people live in makeshift shanties that line entire blocks in the notorious neighborhood known as Skid Row. Rebecca Boone, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026 California's homelessness crisis is especially visible in downtown Los Angeles, where hundreds of people live in makeshift shanties that line entire blocks in the notorious neighborhood known as Skid Row. CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026 Fishing shanties must have reflectors on each side so snowmobiles won't crash into them at dusk or during snowstorms. Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shanty

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

probably from Canadian French chantier lumber camp, hut, from French, builder's yard, ways, support for barrels, from Old French chantier, gantier support — more at gantry

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shanty was in 1820

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shanty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shanty. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

shanty

1 of 2

variant of chantey

shanty

2 of 2 noun
shan·​ty
ˈshant-ē
plural shanties
: shack, hut

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