instep

noun in·step \ ˈin-ˌstep \

Updated on: 1 Apr 2018

Definition of instep

1 : the arched middle portion of the human foot in front of the ankle joint; especially : its upper surface

2 : the part of a shoe or stocking that fits over the instep

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Recent Examples of instep from the Web

The dual-closure system allows me to tighten the calf and ankle separately from the part around the instep and top of my foot.

— leslie hsu oh, Outside Online, "Snowboarding Gear That's Actually Designed for Women," 28 Mar. 2018
His boots keep finding higher rungs, a round pressure on the soft instep of his foot.

— james lynch, Popular Mechanics, "Every Night Perfect," 5 Sep. 2017
The students shouted along with Ms. Belfiglio, slamming their heels to the ground in unison to crush the insteps of imaginary...

— thomas macmillan, WSJ, "More New Yorkers Going on the Defense," 9 May 2017
In the picture, the entire instep of the foot is gone, and a hole the size of a tennis ball is ringed by dead tissue of black and brown and green.

— peter hessler, The New Yorker, "Learning Arabic from Egypt’s Revolution," 7 Apr. 2017
But instead, Walter Ayoví passed it along the ground back through the penalty area, where Arroyo drove a low shot with his right instep into the goal to Guzan’s right.

— david waldstein, New York Times, "United States Advances to Copa América Semifinals," 16 June 2016

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