chin

noun \ ˈchin \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

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

In the fourth round, the two exchanged, and Poirier, who grew up admiring Mike Tyson, landed several hooks clean on the chin.

— greg moore, azcentral, "Moore: UFC on FOX 29 in Glendale story can be told through the crowd," 14 Apr. 2018
Henderson admitted to shooting a 26-year-old man twice in the leg, and a third shot grazed the man's chin, the police report says.

— evan macdonald, cleveland.com, "Man accused in Cleveland Heights barbershop shooting claims self-defense, records say," 13 Apr. 2018
Meanwhile, her facial expression is angry—lips pursed, chin tilted upward, eyes glaring.

— alex warner, Marie Claire, "This Is Why You Didn't See Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan's Divorce Coming," 4 Apr. 2018
Pop music is a double-edged sword, and The Chainsmokers are taking those cuts on the chin and spinning them into new hits.

— kat bein, Billboard, "The Chainsmokers Set Fire to The World in 'Everybody Hates Me': Watch," 2 Apr. 2018
The minivan’s front fascia receives minor alterations with exaggerated lines, edgier cuts, and a pronounced chin, while the rear gets tweaked with new chrome trim pieces and a restyled bumper.

— tony markovich, Car and Driver, "2019 Kia Sedona: Still Fetching, Still Offers a Lot," 29 Mar. 2018
Take a deep breath, with your shoulders back, chest out and chin tucked so your ears are aligned above your collarbone.

— Philly.com, "5 easy exercises you can do from your chair," 27 Mar. 2018
Their skulls suggest broad faces, tiny chins and jutting brows.

— ben guarino, Anchorage Daily News, "Humans bred with this mysterious species more than once, new study shows," 16 Mar. 2018
Avril was kicked in the chin by the heel of Brissett.

— geoffrey c. arnold, OregonLive.com, "Seattle Seahawks DE Cliff Avril plans to play in 2018: Report," 16 Jan. 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

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

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

First Known Use of chin

1869

CHIN Defined for English Language Learners

chin

noun

Definition of chin for English Language Learners

: the part of the face below the mouth and above the neck

CHIN Defined for Kids

chin

noun \ ˈchin \

Definition of chin for Students

: the part of the face below the mouth and including the point of the lower jaw

Medical Dictionary

chin

noun \ ˈchin \

medical Definition of chin

: the lower portion of the face lying below the lower lip and including the prominence of the lower jaw — called also mentum

—

chinless

play \-ləs\ adjective

Learn More about chin

See words that rhyme with chin Spanish Central: Translation of chin Nglish: Translation of chin for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of chin for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chin

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chin

Definition of chin

chinless

Recent Examples of chin from the Web

Origin and Etymology of chin

Other Anatomy Terms

chin

Definition of chin

Examples of chin in a Sentence

Recent Examples of chin from the Web

First Known Use of chin

Phrases Related to CHIN

Related Phrases

CHIN Defined for English Language Learners

chin

Definition of chin for English Language Learners

CHIN Defined for Kids

chin

Definition of chin for Students

Medical Dictionary

chin

medical Definition of chin

chinless

Learn More about chin

Seen and Heard

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