loin

noun

ˈlȯin 

1

a

: the part of a human being or quadruped on each side of the spinal column between the hip bone and the false ribs

b

: a cut of meat comprising this part of one or both sides of a carcass with the adjoining half of the vertebrae included but without the flank

2

loins plural

a

: the upper and lower abdominal regions and the region about the hips

b(1)

: the pubic region

(2)

: the reproductive organs

Examples of loin in a Sentence

There was a towel wrapped around his loins.

Recent Examples on the Web

Gird your loins, because Thursday's Albie Awards including one major fashionable reunion. —Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 30 Sep. 2023

Beef is the most traditional main course in the South, but some hosts serve ham, lamb, pork loin—or even a roasted duck. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2023

The menu at Chatham Bars Inn Farm Dinner changes each week; the summer solstice dinner included strip loin of beef from Northeast Family Farms. —Pamela Wright, BostonGlobe.com, 6 July 2023

One scene is straight out of a French farce: Unbeknownst to either of Musk’s parenting partners, both are in the same hospital, one giving birth to his twins and the other helping a surrogate deliver another fruit of his loins. —WIRED, 15 Sep. 2023

The bone-in pork chop is the real standout, though, with a disc of thick, juicy loin meat and a spur of tender dark meat along the bone that’s tinged red with sweet post oak smoke — a Central Texas classic. —Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2023

Picket signs were printed, and everyone girded their loins for an even more total shutdown of the entertainment industry. —Vulture, 17 July 2023

Full disclosure: there is no undergarment in the world that would gird my loins enough to prepare me for combat. —Patricia Marx, The New Yorker, 19 June 2023

The One Right Way to Cook a Pork Chop Step 1: Find a superior chop Pork collar steaks—also known as CT butt or coppa steaks—are tender like a loin chop, but with rich marbling for extra flavor. —Cathy Erway, Men's Health, 6 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English loyne, from Anglo-French loigne, from Vulgar Latin *lumbea, from Latin lumbus; akin to Old English lendenu loins, Old Church Slavonic lędviję

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing loin

• short loin

• short loin

Kids Definition

loin

noun

ˈlȯin 

1

a

: the part of the body on each side of the spinal column between the hip and the lower ribs

b

: a cut of meat (as beef) from the loin of an animal

2

plural

a

: the pubic region

b

: the organs of reproduction

Medical Definition

loin

noun

ˈlȯin 

1

: the part of the body of a human or a quadruped that is situated on each side of the spinal column between the hip bone and the false ribs

2

loins plural

a

: the upper and lower abdominal regions and the region about the hips

b(1)

: the pubic region

(2)

: the generative organs

—not usually used technically in senses 2a, b