Definitions

1. noun

a cutting tool, typically having two parallel blades that are crossed, used for cutting or shearing off hair, wool, etc.

“She used a pair of hair shears to trim her bangs.”

2. verb

to cut or separate something, typically using a sharp tool or a machine

“The farmer sheared the sheep to prepare them for the winter.”

3. verb

to reduce or remove something, typically by a specified amount

“The company will shear its workforce by 10% due to the financial crisis.”

4. noun

a narrow passage or channel, especially in a mountain range

“The hikers had to navigate through the steep shear in the mountain.”

5. noun

a device for cutting or separating something, especially a pair of scissors or a machine

“The engineer designed a new shear for the factory’s production line.”