chines

Definition of chinesnext
plural of chine
as in spines
a column of bones supporting the trunk of a vertebrate animal uncovered the chine of some animal while digging in the backyard

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of chines At low speeds, the wide upper chines deliver stability and good fuel performance. Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chines
Noun
  • The fruit is typically oval or heart-shaped with a green peel and soft spines.
    Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 28 May 2026
  • Between urchin spines, tiny crabs and juvenile abalone take shelter while hungry fish swirl past.
    Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Even when degraded, enzymes have stable backbones that might be capable of catalyzing reactions, said Sudha Rajamani, an astrobiologist at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune who wasn’t involved in the study.
    Siddhant Pusdekar, Quanta Magazine, 1 June 2026
  • As songwriters, the Ottavianos usually only needed a metaphor, a single beautiful image, or a fun double entendre to serve as narrative backbones.
    Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Some can be seen with their hands tied behind their backs, kneeling with their heads touching the floor.
    Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 6 June 2026
  • For starters, Chelsea has top-level wing backs which are difficult to find at the top of the game.
    Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chines. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster