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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mississippi Pork Chops Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 4 1-inch boneless pork loin chops 1/2 tsp. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2025 Lean cuts of pork include ham, pork loin, center loin, and tenderloin. Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 9 May 2025 The event brings together some of the region’s top chefs for an eight-course meal that will include such dishes as shellfish chowder, Brussel sprout salad, sesame sweet chili salmon, coffee rubbed pork loin, braised short rib and sweet corn risotto. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025 The more intense the conversation gets, the more heated our loins will become — don’t take matters to an extreme level to ensure that a moment doesn’t become anything more. Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for loin

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of loin was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loin. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

loin

noun
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on loin

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