thigh

noun

1
a
: the proximal segment of the vertebrate hind or lower limb extending from the hip to the knee
b
: the segment of the leg immediately distal to the thigh in a bird or in a quadruped in which the true thigh is obscured
c
: the femur of an insect
2
: something resembling or covering a thigh
thighed adjective

Examples of thigh in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During the show, Jenner wore a white dress with a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit. Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025 Her return to the brand in Paris follows a summer defined by similarly bold footwear moments, including rhinestone Stuart Weitzman thigh-highs at WeHo Pride and Gianvito Rossi’s fitted suede boots at Tribeca. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2025 This easy chicken thigh recipe covers the bases for the main dish and the fruit. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025 Forest centre-back Murillo started against Midtjylland after missing four games with a thigh injury but was forced off in the first half after just 28 minutes. Sam Joseph, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thigh

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English thēoh; akin to Old High German dioh thigh, Lithuanian taukai, plural, fat

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of thigh was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thigh. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

thigh

noun
: the part of the leg that extends from the hip to the knee

Medical Definition

thigh

noun
1
: the proximal segment of the vertebrate hind or lower limb extending from the hip to the knee and supported by a single large bone compare femur sense 1
2
: the segment of the leg immediately distal to the thigh in a bird or in a quadruped in which the true thigh is obscured
3
: the femur of an insect

More from Merriam-Webster on thigh

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