shin

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈshin 

: the front part of the vertebrate leg below the knee

shin

2 of 4

verb

shinned; shinning

intransitive verb

1

: shinny

2

: to move forward rapidly on foot

transitive verb

1

: to kick or strike on the shins

2

: to climb by shinnying

shin

3 of 4

noun (2)

ˈshēn  ˈshin 

: the 22nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet see Alphabet Table

Shin

4 of 4

noun (3)

ˈshin  ˈshēn 

: a major Japanese Buddhist sect that emphasizes salvation by faith in exclusive worship of Amida Buddha

Examples of shin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In that case, your best bet is to choose shin guards that slip into a sleeve that can be pulled on under the socks or strap around the shin. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Who plays at centre-forward if Benjamin Sesko has another shin issue? — Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

The play came midway into the second quarter, with third-string quarterback Garrett Nussmeier leading the offense and Allen getting some extra work after missing last week with a shin bruise. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026

Lift the feet off the ground, keeping the shins parallel with the floor. — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English shine, from Old English scinu; akin to Old High German scina shin, Old English scīa shin, leg

Noun (2)

Hebrew shīn

Noun (3)

Japanese, literally, truth

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1823, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1877, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing shin

• shin splints

Rhymes for shin

• been
• bin
• chin
• din
• djinn
• fin
• finn
• gin
• grin
• in
• kin
• linn

Kids Definition

shin

1 of 2 noun

ˈshin 

: the front part of the leg below the knee

shin

2 of 2 verb

shinned; shinning

: shinny

Medical Definition

shin

noun

ˈshin 

: the front part of the leg below the knee