chin

noun \ ˈchin \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 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

Wiseman plopped down his 7-foot frame down and tucked his arms — the ones that boast a 7-foot-4 wingspan — under his chin.

— roman stubbs, chicagotribune.com, "At Nike Peach Jam, high school stars ready to see end of NBA's one-and-done era," 13 July 2018
Then, take the same loop bigger–from forehead to cheekbones, ending at the chin.

— The Cut, "How to Get the Most Out of Your Serum," 13 July 2018
There are many products designed specifically for the area below the chin.

— rachel jacoby zoldan, SELF, "The 9 Best Skin-Care Tips I’ve Learned in 10 Years of Being a Beauty Editor," 13 July 2018
Parkman’s rapid walk and his curious bearing — prominent chin high up in the air — were recognizable even at a distance.

— paul collins, BostonGlobe.com, "What lies in the lab: The gruesome murder at Harvard that transfixed New England," 11 July 2018
The other person also provided a T-shirt, which Lubotsky used to put pressure on the man's nose and chin to control the bleeding.

— jane ford-stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'My angel wings sprouted again': Greenfield alderwoman helps another stranger after seizure, fall," 5 July 2018
Albert Almora tomahawked a chin-high fastball down the right field line.

— anthony fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers might be wise to trade Michael Fulmer. Here's why," 3 July 2018
The Chandlers got very rich on real estate and publishing, grew the arts, built an Oscar-worthy music hall and, best of all, produced a golden son, Otis, with a movie-star chin but a papal heart.

— chris erskine, latimes.com, "As we pack up, a bittersweet ode to a workplace that was my second home," 29 June 2018
While talking guys through the process with the calm tone of a yoga instructor, Boni manipulates their head and chin into position.

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Morning Line: Celebrating three years of Jillian The Magnificent and Ryan Mavriplis," 27 June 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