noggin

noun nog·gin \ ˈnä-gən \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of noggin

1 : a small mug or cup

2 : a small quantity (such as a gill) of drink

3 : a person's head

See noggin defined for English-language learners

See noggin defined for kids

Examples of noggin in a Sentence

He fell and got a bump on his noggin.
watch the lintel above the door, unless you want to bang your noggin

Recent Examples of noggin from the Web

With its painted-on eyebrows, somber expression and wavy brown hair peeking through its tattered bandages, the mummy’s noggin brought viewers face-to-face with a mystery.

— New York Times, "The F.B.I. and the Mystery of the Mummy’s Head," 2 Apr. 2018
But Rondo, the feisty 12-year veteran, has become the third playmaking noggin.

— ron higgins, NOLA.com, "Pels' `dogs' are sinking their teeth into victory on a nightly basis," 23 Mar. 2018
Rosen will undergo intense training for not stomping on people’s noggins before returning to work to terrorize the citizens of Columbus.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Cop Fired for Stomping on Head of Man in Handcuffs Gets Job Back Because ... I Don’t Even Know Anymore," 6 Mar. 2018
Lucy moved her big noggin forward and back again under the blinding heat, her head seemingly ready to tumble off her human shoulders.

— monica drake, Longreads, "Doomed in Nashville," 5 Mar. 2018
There’s a reason for the up-and-too-routinely-down Aztecs to clear noggins, summon some late-season road guts and run until sneakers melt.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Beat-down of UNLV positions Aztecs to bail themselves out at MW tourney," 17 Feb. 2018
Diana Arévalo, the first-term District 116 state rep facing a strong challenge from her predecessor, Trey Martinez Fischer, used part of her time to fire a brushback pitch in the general vicinity of her rival’s noggin.

— gilbert garcia, San Antonio Express-News, "District 116 race: Public-school advocacy vs. private-school parenting," 3 Feb. 2018
At age 35-and-a-half, the Duke of Cambridge has finally decided to embrace his lack of locks by visiting celebrity barber Joey Wheeler, who took clippers to the royal noggin and gave him a whole new look.

— marci robin, Good Housekeeping, "Prince William's New Buzz Cut Is Causing a Ton of Buzz," 19 Jan. 2018
After all, 2017 is a blank space in Coach O's noggin.

— ron higgins, NOLA.com, "Steve Ensminger replaces a missing person as LSU's offensive coordinator," 11 Jan. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of noggin

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1588

See Words from the same year

noggin Synonyms

Synonyms

bean, block [slang], dome, head, noddle, noodle, pate, poll;

Related Words

cranium, crown, scalp, skull;

Other Household Terms

cruet, curiosity, duvet, fiasco, sham, taper, valance, whatnot

NOGGIN Defined for English Language Learners

noggin

noun

Definition of noggin for English Language Learners

: a person's head

NOGGIN Defined for Kids

noggin

noun nog·gin \ ˈnä-gən \

Definition of noggin for Students

: a person's head

Lefty Lewis rubbed his hand over my head and said, “Look at this noggin …”
—Christopher Paul Curtis, Bud, Not Buddy

Learn More about noggin

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for noggin Nglish: Translation of noggin for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up noggin? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

noggin

Definition of noggin

Examples of noggin in a Sentence

Recent Examples of noggin from the Web

Origin and Etymology of noggin

noggin Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Household Terms

Phrases Related to NOGGIN

Related Phrases

NOGGIN Defined for English Language Learners

noggin

Definition of noggin for English Language Learners

NOGGIN Defined for Kids

noggin

Definition of noggin for Students

Learn More about noggin

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes