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

Another highlight is the Art Deco-style Chartreuse for elegant French dishes—think garlic escargots and veal rack loin. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Lean cuts of meat include round steaks and roasts, top loin, top sirloin, chuck shoulder and arm roasts, and lean ground beef (at least 90% lean). —Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 9 May 2025

Also maybe if their marital loins produced any Wood splinters. —Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 5 May 2025

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