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

Standouts include lamb loin with pomegranate reduction and brie and pear galette. —Annie Blackman, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2024

If your loins are stirred by this acronym, then Diwan very much has your number. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Sep. 2024

Start with shrimp and smelt fritto misto or Caprese salad, move on to ravioli stuffed with sweet corn and lobster or a quick-cooking pizza topped with yellow tomatoes and burrata, then dig in to roasted pork loin with peaches and mustard greens. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 31 July 2024

Instead, the diets emphasize eating healthy, oily fish, which are packed with omega-3 fatty acids that are good for the brain, along with lean meats such as poultry and pork loin. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 31 July 2024

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

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