neck

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noun \ ˈnek \

Definition of neck

1 a (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 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 1b

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

See neck defined for English-language learners

See neck defined for kids

Examples of neck in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of neck from the Web

The Night King wisely aimed for the neck, where Viserion was gathering fire for his deadly blasts.

— joanna robinson, vanityfair.com, "Game of Thrones: 11 Burning Questions About White Walkers, Dragons, and More," 20 Aug. 2017
At some point, one of the men pulled out a knife and stabbed the 29-year-old in the chest and neck, police said.

— elvia malagon, chicagotribune.com, "Man fatally stabbed on West Side," 13 Aug. 2017
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office later concluded King-Smith had died from asphyxia and a compressed neck.

— andy nguyen, Glendale News-Press, "Former Marine gets 3 years for 2015 Glendale choking death," 8 Aug. 2017
The driver of the second car complained of pain to her neck and wrist but refused medical attention on the scene, Thompson said.

— toriano porter, kansascity, "Officer hurt in collision; pedestrian struck in separate wrecks in south KC," 8 Aug. 2017
The woman called 911 just after 2 p.m. to report that her 5-foot boa constrictor was wrapped around her neck and biting her face.

— courtney astolfi, AL.com, "Ohio woman rescued after telling 911: 'I have a boa constrictor stuck to my face'," 28 July 2017
Barbers also use a vibrating hand massager on men’s heads, neck and faces after a cut.

— phillip molnar, Pacific San Diego Magazine, "Tijuana barber shops are all the rage," 24 July 2017
The diagonal scar on Mr Khattab’s neck is another story; assassins had planted a bomb near his house.

— The Economist, "The pushmi-pullyuWhat makes Pakistan so unfathomable," 22 July 2017
My son has a hole in his neck as big as a fist, skin missing off his back.

— malaika jabali, Essence.com, "A Mysterious Prison Death: What Happened To Michael Jefferson?," 20 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of neck

Middle English nekke, from Old English hnecca; akin to Old High German hnac nape

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

neck Synonyms

Synonyms

belt, corridor, land, region, part (s), tract, zone

Antonyms

country mile, long haul, mile

Related Words

district, domain, latitude (s), range, realm, terrain, territory; neighborhood, vicinity

Near Antonyms

infinity, light-year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

neck

verb

Definition of neck

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

See neck defined for English-language learners

Examples of neck in a Sentence

The young lovers necked on the park bench.
They were necking in the corner of the room.

Recent Examples of neck from the Web

There's a lot of rubber-necking going on because fans on both sides are into what's happening with the programs.

— john canzano, OregonLive.com, "Ducks and Beavers football programs provide summer fireworks," 19 May 2017
Researchers on Wednesday described fossils of a long-necked, four-legged, meat-eating reptile called Teleocrater rhadinus.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Secret White House Visits: Now Easier Than Ever!," 14 Apr. 2017

First Known Use of neck

1842

NECK Defined for English Language Learners

neck

play

noun

Definition of neck for English Language Learners

: the part of the body between the head and the shoulders
: the part of a piece of clothing that fits around your neck
: a long and narrow part of something : a part that is shaped like a neck

neck

verb

Definition of neck for English Language Learners

: to kiss for a long time in a sexual way

NECK Defined for Kids

neck

play

noun \ ˈnek \

Definition of neck for Students

1 :the part of the body between the head and the shoulders

2 :the section of a garment covering or nearest to the part connecting the head with the body

3 :something that is long and narrow or that connects two larger parts

a neck of land

the neck of a bottle

—

necked

\ˈnekt\ adjective

— neck and neck

:so nearly equal (as in a race or election) that one cannot be said to be ahead of the other

Medical Dictionary

neck

play

noun \ ˈnek \

medical Definition of neck

1 a :the usually narrowed part of an animal that connects the head with the body; specifically :the cervical region of a vertebrate

b :the part of a tapeworm immediately behind the scolex from which new proglottids are produced

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

a :a narrow part of a bone

the neck of the femur

b :cervix 2

c :the part of a tooth between the crown and the root

Illustration of neck

Learn More about neck

See words that rhyme with neck Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for neck Spanish Central: Translation of neck Nglish: Translation of neck for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of neck for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about neck

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neck

Definition of neck

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Examples of neck in a Sentence

Recent Examples of neck from the Web

Origin and Etymology of neck

neck Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Anatomy Terms

neck

Definition of neck

Examples of neck in a Sentence

Recent Examples of neck from the Web

First Known Use of neck

NECK Defined for English Language Learners

neck

Definition of neck for English Language Learners

neck

Definition of neck for English Language Learners

NECK Defined for Kids

neck

Definition of neck for Students

necked

Medical Dictionary

neck

medical Definition of neck

Illustration of neck

Learn More about neck

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