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

Open up loin like a book; repeat slicing process with each side. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025

Wally’s Cafe and wild Chinook salmon three ways (belly tartare, grilled loin and trim fried into a tater tot) at Localis. —Benjy Egel, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2025

There are works depicting her ex-lover as a bloody abstraction pouring into her loins. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Columbia’s sandwich is made using pork shoulder instead of pork loin. —Andrew Barrett Schrader, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2025

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 Slavic lędviję

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing loin

• short loin

Rhymes for loin

• coin
• coyne
• groin
• join
• koine
• moine
• moyen
• quoin
• adjoin
• benzoin
• bitcoin
• conjoin

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