hindquarter

noun

hind·​quar·​ter ˈhīn(d)-ˌkwȯ(r)-tər 

-ˌkȯ(r)-

1

: one side of the back half of the carcass of a quadruped including a leg and usually one or more ribs

2

hindquarters plural : the hind pair of legs of a quadruped

broadly : all the structures of a quadruped that lie posterior to the attachment of the hind legs to the trunk

Examples of hindquarter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Maine coons have a heavy, semi-longhaired coat that is shorter around the shoulders and longer around the ruff, underbelly and hindquarters, according to TICA. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026

When mice at Patricia Hunt’s lab at Washington State University began losing fetuses with devastating birth defects — facial deformities and missing hindquarters — or failed to reproduce at all, Hunt immediately put on her detective hat. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Every few feet, the cats stopped and sat on their hindquarters, or crouched down out of sight. — Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Trailing behind is a triangle of stars forming the lion’s hindquarters. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hindquarter

• colporteur
• exporter
• headquarter
• importer
• reporter
• supporter
• transporter
• mortar
• quarter
• shorter
• sorter

Kids Definition

hindquarter

noun

hind·​quar·​ter -ˌkwȯ(r)t-ər 

1

: one side of the back half of the body or carcass of a four-footed animal

a hindquarter of beef

2

plural : the part of a four-footed animal behind the attachment of the hind legs to the trunk