1
a
: the part of a human being or quadruped on each side of the spinal column between the hip bone and the false ribs
b
: a cut of meat comprising this part of one or both sides of a carcass with the adjoining half of the vertebrae included but without the flank
2
loins plural
a
: the upper and lower abdominal regions and the region about the hips
b(1)
: the pubic region
(2)
: the reproductive organs

Examples of loin in a Sentence

There was a towel wrapped around his loins.
Recent Examples on the Web Columbia’s sandwich is made using pork shoulder instead of pork loin. Andrew Barrett Schrader, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 There’s a pork and applesauce take of moist roasted pork loin served with sauce made with apple butter, on a bed of buttery pureed potatoes and green beans with tiny pieces of strip bacon ($28). The Indianapolis Star, 27 Feb. 2024 This recipe calls for boneless center loin chops that are ¾- to 1-inch thick. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 My Favorites: Food Signature Fire Lamb-chops Dinner – Four bone in Lamb-chop loins, topped with terriyaki garlic Glaze served with your choice of two sides Southern Fried Chicken Dinner (rice) – Leg quarters seasoned in Lulabelle’s signature house seasoning, deep fried to perfection. Jordyn Brown, Essence, 3 Jan. 2024 At one end of the grand dining table sat Aunt Desdemona and Uncle Ansel, calmly slicing away at their rabbit loins. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 Lamb loin chops, chicken jalfrezi and falooda (a Mughali ice cream dessert with vermicelli) dot the menu at this South Asian halal restaurant with a buffet in Bond Plaza. Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024 The sandwich list is the centerpiece of the menu, with options like a classic Brazilian mortadella sandwich and another with roasted pork loin. Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2024 Best to gird our loins in the new year and work to shove them from their powerful perches and media spotlights. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 23 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'loin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English loyne, from Anglo-French loigne, from Vulgar Latin *lumbea, from Latin lumbus; akin to Old English lendenu loins, Old Church Slavonic lędviję

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of loin was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near loin

Cite this Entry

“Loin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loin. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

loin

noun
1
a
: the part of the body on each side of the spinal column between the hip and the lower ribs
b
: a cut of meat (as beef) from the loin of an animal
2
plural
a
: the pubic region
b
: the organs of reproduction

Medical Definition

loin

noun
1
: the part of the body of a human or a quadruped that is situated on each side of the spinal column between the hip bone and the false ribs
2
loins plural
a
: the upper and lower abdominal regions and the region about the hips
b(1)
: the pubic region
(2)
: the generative organs
not usually used technically in senses 2a, b

More from Merriam-Webster on loin

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