shingle

Universal Words noun 1 [U] a mass of small smooth stones on a beach or at the side of a river: a shingle beach / bank 2 [C,U] a small flat piece of wood that is used to cover a wall or roof of a building 3 [C] (AmE) a board with a sign on it, in front of a doctor's or lawyer's office: He hung out his own shingle (= started a business as a doctor or lawyer).