loin

noun \ˈlȯin\

: an area on the back of an animal's body near the tail

: meat from this area

loins : the area of a person's body that includes the sexual organs

Full Definition of LOIN

a : the part of a human being or quadruped on each side of the spinal column between the hipbone and the false ribs

b : a cut of meat comprising this part of one or both sides of a carcass with the adjoining half of the vertebrae included but without the flank

plural

a : the upper and lower abdominal regions and the region about the hips

b (1) : the pubic region (2) : the reproductive organs

See loin defined for English-language learners

See loin defined for kids

Origin of LOIN

Middle English loyne, from Anglo-French loigne, from Vulgar Latin *lumbea, from Latin lumbus; akin to Old English lendenu loins, Old Church Slavic lędviję

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with LOIN

coin, foin, groin, groyne, join, quoin

LOIN Defined for Kids

loin

noun \ˈlȯin\

Definition of LOIN for Kids

: the part of the body between the hip and the lower ribs

: a piece of meat (as beef) from the loin of an animal

Medical Dictionary

loin

noun \ˈlȯin\

Medical Definition of LOIN

: the part of the body of a human or a quadruped that is situated on each side of the spinal column between the hip bone and the false ribs

loins pl a : the upper and lower abdominal regions and the region about the hips b (1) : the pubic region (2) : the generative organs—not usually used technically in senses 2a, b