haunch

noun

ˈhȯnch 

ˈhänch

1

a

: hip entry 1 sense 1a

b

: hindquarter sense 2

—usually used in plural

2

: hindquarter sense 1

3

: either side of an arch between the springing and the crown

see also on one's haunches

Synonyms of haunch

• cheeks
• tail
• seat
• rump
• bum

Examples of haunch in a Sentence

squatted down on her haunches to get a better shot of the ducks with her camera

Recent Examples on the Web

If a person unknowingly walks their dog close to a den during pupping season, the coyote may try to warn or escort the dog away — sometimes through a nip on the haunch or leg. —Lisa Bloch, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026

Further back, Pablo Picasso takes a gentle rest on his haunches and stares off into space. —Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025

The dogs curled up and jammed their snouts into their haunches, to defend against the wind. —Ben Taub, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

In one lingering shot, Riefenstahl dwells on the muscled haunch of the sprinter Jesse Owens at the starting line. —Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English haunche, from Anglo-French hanche, haunche, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch hanke haunch

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for haunch

• conch
• launch
• paunch
• staunch
• protoconch

Kids Definition

haunch

noun

ˈhȯnch 

ˈhänch

1

a

: hip entry 2

b

: hindquarter sense 2

—usually used in plural

2

: hindquarter sense 1