neck

noun

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\ ˈnek

Definition of neck

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : the part of an animal that connects the head with the body

(2) : the siphon of a bivalve mollusk (such as a clam)

b : the part of a garment that covers or is next to the neck

2 : a relatively narrow part suggestive of a neck: such as

a(1) : the constricted end of a bottle

(2) : the slender proximal end of a fruit

b : cervix sense 2

c : the part of a stringed musical instrument extending from the body and supporting the fingerboard and strings

d : a narrow stretch of land

e : strait entry 1 sense 1a

f : the part of a tooth between the crown and the root — see tooth illustration

g : a column of solidified magma of a volcanic pipe or laccolith

3 : a narrow margin won by a neck

4 : region, part my neck of the woods

neck

verb

necked; necking; necks

Definition of neck (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to kiss and caress amorously

2 : to reduce in diameter

intransitive verb

1 : to engage in amorous kissing and caressing

2 : to become constricted : narrow

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about neck

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Examples of neck in a Sentence

Noun She craned her neck to see what was going on. A giraffe is an animal with a very long neck. He broke his neck in the accident. He likes T-shirts with round necks. He grabbed the neck of the bottle. Verb The young lovers necked on the park bench. They were necking in the corner of the room.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun With his legs still churning and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell’s arm around his neck area, Akers tried to extend the ball for a score. — Emmanuel Morgan Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Why the Rams red zone offense has been failing," 6 Jan. 2021 Wear a hat and gloves, of course, along with a neck gaiter or balaclava on very cold days, and don’t forget eye protection. — Pamela Wright, BostonGlobe.com, "It’s the perfect year to try snowshoeing," 1 Jan. 2021 Ross’ college career ended with a neck and spine surgery before the season. — Stephen Means, cleveland, "Who’s better: Ohio State football’s Shaun Wade or Clemson’s Amari Rodgers: Sugar Bowl pivotal matchups," 1 Jan. 2021 Following a struggle, then-Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes as the man repeatedly complained of struggling to breathe. — Washington Post, "Fatal shooting by police sets off protest in Minneapolis," 31 Dec. 2020 That was how long it was initially thought that a white Minneapolis police officer kept his knee pinned on George Floyd’s neck. — Clifton Leaf, Fortune, "20 Things That Went Strangely, Wonderfully Right in 2020," 31 Dec. 2020 Gross said the child sustained injuries to his arm, neck and groin. — Fox News, "Dog mauls an 11-year-old in Boston," 31 Dec. 2020 This neck brace was formerly a shower caddy listing. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "Amazon still hasn’t fixed its problem with bait-and-switch reviews," 30 Dec. 2020 Pictures released by Montoya-Carranza’s lawyers show a cut on his head, and long scratches and what appears to be the outline of three fingers on Montoya-Carranza’s neck. — Michael Williams, SFChronicle.com, "Lawsuit claims San Pablo police used excessive force after mistaking teen for shooting suspect," 30 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The process walks you through a number of options on the main Amazon app, from color and length to neck shape and fabric. — Washington Post, "For Amazon’s $25 custom T-shirt, your body is a wonderland (of data)," 5 Jan. 2021 Tens of thousands of American police receive militarized training, including the knee to neck hold that killed George Floyd. — Doris Bittar, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Commentary: Arab Americans face a particular brand of discrimination. This is what we go through.," 29 Dec. 2020 The mesh allows for good airflow, and the headrest and lumbar support give your back and neck a break. — Julian Chokkattu, Wired, "The Best Cyber Monday Deals If You Work From Home," 30 Nov. 2020 The mesh allows for good airflow, and the headrest and lumbar support give your back and neck a break. — Julian Chokkattu, Wired, "The Best Cyber Monday Deals If You Work From Home," 30 Nov. 2020 The mesh allows for good airflow, and the headrest and lumbar support give your back and neck a break. — Julian Chokkattu, Wired, "The Best Cyber Monday Deals If You Work From Home," 30 Nov. 2020 The mesh allows for good airflow, and the headrest and lumbar support give your back and neck a break. — Julian Chokkattu, Wired, "The Best Black Friday Deals if You Work From Home," 27 Nov. 2020 Plant the pillow in a chair or on the floor behind your back or neck and get ready to zen out. — Amanda Tarlton, USA TODAY, "15 products that help with stress relief," 21 Oct. 2020 Those protests started with the May 25 death of George Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his back and neck for about nine minutes. — Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, "Ammon Bundy's new anti-government standoff: Mask mandates and quarantines," 28 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'neck.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.