1. A historical administrative district in England:
This is the most common meaning. A shire was a large division of land, ruled by a sheriff, used for administrative purposes in medieval England. The word "shire" is still used in names of places, such as Yorkshire, Hampshire, and Cheshire.
2. A county in the United States:
In some parts of the US, particularly in the Midwest and South, "shire" can be used as a synonym for "county". For example, you might hear someone say "Jackson Shire" instead of "Jackson County". This usage is less common than the historical English meaning.
3. A large, open, rural area:
This meaning is more poetic and less formal. It can be used to describe a broad, expansive countryside. For example, you might say "He rode across the rolling shires" to evoke an image of vast, open fields.
So, the exact meaning of "shire" depends on how it's used. But generally, it refers to a large, geographic area, often with a historical or rural connotation.