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shoulder
[shohl-der]
noun
the part of each side of the body in humans, at the top of the trunk, extending from each side of the base of the neck to the region where the arm articulates with the trunk.
Usually shoulders these two parts together with the part of the back joining them.
a corresponding part in animals.
the upper foreleg and adjoining parts of a sheep, goat, etc.
the joint connecting the arm or the foreleg with the trunk.
a shoulderlike part or projection.
Ornithology.the bend of a bird's wing, between the hand and the forearm, especially when distinctively colored, as in the red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus.
a cut of meat that includes the upper joint of the foreleg.
Informal.Often shoulders capacity for bearing responsibility or blame or sympathizing with other people.
If you want to tell me your troubles, I have broad shoulders.
a steplike change in the contour of an object, as for opposing or limiting motion along it or for an abutment.
Carpentry.
the end surface or surfaces of a piece from which a tenon or tenons project.
an inclined and raised surface, as on a joggle post, for receiving and supporting the foot of a strut or the like.
Fortification.the angle of a bastion between the face and the flank.
Printing.the flat surface on a type body extending beyond the base of the letter or character.
the part of a garment that covers, or fits over, the shoulder.
(in leather manufacturing) that part of the hide anterior to the butt.
either of the two edges or borders along a road, especially that portion on which vehicles can be parked in emergencies.
Furniture.knee.
verb (used with object)
to push with or as if with the shoulder, especially roughly.
to shoulder someone aside.
to take upon, support, or carry on or as if on the shoulder or shoulders.
He shouldered his knapsack and walked on.
to assume as a responsibility.
to shoulder the expense.
Synonyms: , ,
verb (used without object)
to push with or as if with the shoulder.
to shoulder through a crowd.
shoulder
/ ˈʃəʊə /
noun
the part of the vertebrate body where the arm or a corresponding forelimb joins the trunk: the pectoral girdle and associated structures
the joint at the junction of the forelimb with the pectoral girdle
a cut of meat including the upper part of the foreleg
printing the flat surface of a piece of type from which the face rises
tanning the portion of a hide covering the shoulders and neck of the animal, usually including the cheeks
the part of a garment that covers the shoulder
anything that resembles a shoulder in shape or position
the strip of unpaved land that borders a road
engineering a substantial projection or abrupt change in shape or diameter designed to withstand thrust
photog the portion of the characteristic curve of a photographic material indicating the maximum density that can be produced on the material
jewellery the part of a ring where the shank joins the setting
a person one turns to for sympathy with one's troubles
informal
to treat someone in a cold manner; snub
to ignore or shun someone
informalto work very hard
See rub
side by side or close together
in a corporate effort
verb
(tr) to bear or carry (a burden, responsibility, etc) as if on one's shoulders
to push (something) with or as if with the shoulder
(tr) to lift or carry on the shoulders
military to bring the rifle vertically close to the right side with the muzzle uppermost and held at the trigger guard
Other Word Forms
- outshoulder verb (used with object)
- reshoulder verb (used with object)
- unshouldered adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of shoulder1
Word History and Origins
Origin of shoulder1
Idioms and Phrases
cry on someone's shoulder, to reveal one's problems to another person in order to obtain sympathy.
Don't cry on my shoulder—this mess is your own fault.
put one's shoulder to the wheel, to work energetically toward a goal; put forth effort.
If we put our shoulders to the wheel, we'll be able to finish the job soon.
straight from the shoulder, without evasion; directly; candidly.
The lawyer told him straight from the shoulder that his case was weak.
shoulder to shoulder, side by side; with united effort.
The volunteers worked shoulder to shoulder with the locals in harvesting the crops.
shoulder arms,
to place a rifle muzzle upward on the right or left shoulder, with the buttstock in the corresponding hand.
the command to shoulder arms.
rub shoulders with, to come into association with; mingle with.
The gallery was a space where bohemian artists would rub shoulders with both affluent collectors and the general public.
Example Sentences
Lewis sagely places his narrative squarely on Manuel’s shoulders, affording the reader the experience of strolling in the musician’s footsteps at key moments in The Band’s career.
A 22-year-old nursery worker has been convicted of abusing 21 babies, including kicking one little boy in the face and stepping on his shoulder.
Several clients laid on their backs on what looked like massage tables as their flexologists rolled or twisted or pressed on their body parts — a limb over the shoulder here, a spinal twist there.
With multiple starters on the injured list, the bullpen has shouldered a disproportionate share of the pitching load.
Usman Khawaja will turn 39 in December and must be wondering if he will get a tap on the shoulder before then.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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