chin

noun \ ˈchin \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: chin in a Sentence

Definition of chin

1 : the lower portion of the face lying below the lower lip and including the prominence of the lower jaw

2 : the surface beneath or between the branches of the lower jaw

—

chinless

play \-ləs\ adjective

See chin defined for English-language learners

See chin defined for kids

Recent Examples of chin from the Web

The young royal clearly slips and possibly bonks her chin on the railing.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Princess Charlotte Took a Tumble at Trooping the Colour," 9 June 2018
For hairs on your chin, nipples, toes, or any other inconvenient area, tweezing is the simplest option.

— kayleigh donahue, Allure, "Allure's Guide to Hair Removal From Your Brows to Your Bikini Line," 6 June 2018
The son was stabbed six times on his body, possibly puncturing his liver and lung, as well as cut on his chin, according to a probable cause affidavit.

— everton bailey jr., OregonLive.com, "Newport mom accused of stabbing son, 6, told police he deserved it, court records show," 29 May 2018
At least nine times during the film, different employees scratch their chins.

— nicholas thompson, WIRED, "Exclusive: Facebook Opens Up About False News," 23 May 2018
Online games are an important social outlet for Charley Gentry, who plays games using just his chin to press buttons and move analog sticks.

— sarah e. needleman, WSJ, "Disabled Gamers Get a New Controller From Microsoft," 17 May 2018
The officer noted the driver spoke softly as his chin quivered.

— joanne berger dumound/special to cleveland.com., cleveland.com, "Motorist falls asleep in drive thru after ordering burrito: Middleburg Heights police blotter," 21 Apr. 2018
If something bad happened to patients, [the mindset was to] sweep under the rug, and keep your chin up.

— max blau, STAT, "The next generation of doctors may be learning bad habits at teaching hospitals with many safety violations," 20 Apr. 2018
Keeping your eyes forward and chin parallel to the ground, relax your shoulders into your back.

— tj gibson, azcentral, "Ergonomically Correct," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of chin

Middle English, from Old English cinn; akin to Old High German kinni chin, Latin gena cheek, Greek genys jaw, cheek

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

chin

verb

Definition of chin

chinned; chinning

transitive verb

1 : to bring to or hold with the chin

chin a violin

2 : to raise (oneself) while hanging by the hands until the chin is level with the support

intransitive verb

slang : to talk idly

Examples of chin in a Sentence

the kind of work environment in which staffers can knock off early on Friday and chin with the boss

Recent Examples of chin from the Web

Summer species include Northern bobwhite, black-chinned hummingbird and spotted towhee.

— Houston Chronicle, "Top birding spots around Texas," 10 May 2018
Backyard birders are likely to encounter several species of hummingbirds in San Diego, including Anna’s, black-chinned, Costa’s, Rufous and Allen’s.

— ernie cowan, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Hummingbirds will amuse as they fly in for your feeder," 14 Sep. 2017
In one drawing, a pair of women and a pair of men sit kibbitzing on benches in Union Square; Katz captures all four physiognomies and expressions—from a querulous, sharp-nosed woman to a sympathetic, shovel-chinned man—with vigilant specificity.

— The New Yorker, "Alex Katz," 22 May 2017
The only self-explanatory comment on the election came in the form of satire—a sputtering, quadruple-chinned caricature of our president-elect prominently displayed in an artist’s storefront.

— pilar guzmán, Condé Nast Traveler, "Editor's Letter: Why Travelers Make the Best Diplomats," 17 Jan. 2017