reins
Americanplural noun
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the kidneys.
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the region of the kidneys, or the lower part of the back.
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(especially in Biblical use) the seat of the feelings or affections, formerly identified with the kidneys.
plural noun
Etymology
Origin of reins
before 1000; Middle English reines, reenes < Old French reins; compare Old English (once) rēnys; both < Latin rēnēs kidneys, loins (plural); cf. renal
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The United States supports maintaining the post but wants the next high representative to hand over the reins of power to Bosnian institutions.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
Now aged 73, Putin is no closer to giving up the reins of power than he was back in 1999, but he is seen less frequently.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
The administration didn’t instruct health officials to approve Replimune’s drug, and the White House has since handed the reins to the FDA, people familiar with the events said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026
Esa-Pekka Salonen took the reins in 1992 at 34.
From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026
“All right. Come on, now. That’s a good boy,” Akira said, tugging gently on his reins.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
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.
