shoelace

noun

shoe·​lace ˈshü-ˌlās How to pronounce shoelace (audio)
: a lace or string for fastening a shoe

Examples of shoelace in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The sneaker’s tongue and shoelaces appear to have been given a vintage-esque off-white treatment, and the black toe features a new ripstop material, but the style otherwise maintains the original details of the 1995 Neon colorway. Riley Jones, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026 Examples include tying shoelaces, reacting to social cues and learning to ride a bike. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026 Like, my shoelace is not tired. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026 Telomeres serve as protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, similar to the bits of plastic at the ends of shoelaces. Jamie Ducharme, Health, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shoelace

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1647, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shoelace was circa 1647

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Cite this Entry

“Shoelace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoelace. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

shoelace

noun
shoe·​lace -ˌlās How to pronounce shoelace (audio)
: a lace or string for fastening a shoe

More from Merriam-Webster on shoelace

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