shin

1 of 4

noun (1)

Synonyms of shinnext
: the front part of the vertebrate leg below the knee

shin

2 of 4

verb

shinned; shinning

intransitive verb

1
: shinny
2
: to move forward rapidly on foot

transitive verb

1
: to kick or strike on the shins
2
: to climb by shinnying
: the 22nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet see Alphabet Table
: a major Japanese Buddhist sect that emphasizes salvation by faith in exclusive worship of Amida Buddha

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English shine, from Old English scinu; akin to Old High German scina shin, Old English scīa shin, leg

Noun (2)

Hebrew shīn

Noun (3)

Japanese, literally, truth

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1823, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shin was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shin. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

shin

1 of 2 noun
: the front part of the leg below the knee

shin

2 of 2 verb
shinned; shinning
: shinny

Medical Definition

shin

noun
: the front part of the leg below the knee

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