neck

[ nek ]

noun

1. the part of the body of an animal or human being that connects the head and the trunk.
2. the part of a garment encircling, partly covering, or closest to the neck; neckline.
3. the length of the neck of a horse or other animal as a measure in racing.
4. the slender part near the top of a bottle, vase, or similar object.
5. any narrow, connecting, or projecting part suggesting the neck of an animal.
6. a narrow strip of land, as an isthmus or a cape.
7. a strait.
8. the longer and more slender part of a violin or similar stringed instrument, extending from the body to the head.
9. Building Trades, Machinery. the part on a shank of a bolt next to the head, especially when it has a special form.
10. Anatomy. a narrowed part of a bone, organ, or the like.
11. Dentistry. the slightly narrowed region of a tooth between the crown and the root.
12. Printing. beard ( def 5 ).
13. Architecture. a cylindrical continuation of the shaft of a column above the lower astragal of the capital, as in the Roman Doric and Tuscan orders.
14. Also called volcanic neck. Geology. the solidified lava or igneous rock filling a conduit leading either to a vent of an extinct volcano or to a laccolith.

verb (used without object)

1. Informal. (of two persons) to embrace, kiss, and caress one another amorously.

verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to embrace, kiss, and caress (someone) amorously.
2. to strangle or behead.

neck

/ nɛk /

noun

1. the part of an organism connecting the head with the rest of the body cervicaljugular
2. the part of a garment around or nearest the neck
3. something resembling a neck in shape or position

   the neck of a bottle

4. anatomy a constricted portion of an organ or part, such as the cervix of the uterus
5. a narrow or elongated projecting strip of land; a peninsula or isthmus
6. a strait or channel
7. the part of a violin, cello, etc, that extends from the body to the tuning pegs and supports the fingerboard
8. a solid block of lava from the opening of an extinct volcano, exposed after erosion of the surrounding rock
9. botany the upper, usually tubular, part of the archegonium of mosses, ferns, etc
10. the length of a horse's head and neck taken as an approximate distance by which one horse beats another in a race

    to win by a neck

11. informal.
    a short distance, amount, or margin

    he is always a neck ahead in new techniques

12. informal.
    impudence; audacity

    he had the neck to ask for a rise

13. architect the narrow band at the top of the shaft of a column between the necking and the capital, esp as used in the Tuscan order
14. another name for beard, on printer's type
15. break one's neck informal.
    break one's neck to exert oneself greatly, esp by hurrying, in order to do something
16. by the neck slang.
    by the neck (of a bottle of beer) served unpoured

    give me two bottles of stout by the neck

17. get it in the neck informal.
    get it in the neck to be reprimanded or punished severely
18. neck and neck
    neck and neck absolutely level or even in a race or competition
19. neck of the woods informal.
    neck of the woods an area or locality

    a quiet neck of the woods

20. risk one's neck
    risk one's neck to take a great risk
21. informal.
    1. save one's neck to escape from a difficult or dangerous situation
    2. save someone's neck to help someone else escape from such a situation
22. stick one's neck out informal.
    stick one's neck out to risk criticism, ridicule, failure, etc, by speaking one's mind
23. up to one's neck in
    up to one's neck in deeply involved in

    he's up to his neck in dodgy dealings

verb

1. informal.
   intr to kiss, embrace, or fondle someone or one another passionately
2. informal.
   tr to swallow (something, esp a drink)

   he's been necking pints all night

Derived Forms

• ˈnecker, noun

Other Words From

• necker noun
• neckless adjective
• necklike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of neck¹

before 900; Middle English nekke, Old English hnecca, cognate with Dutch nek nape of neck; akin to German Nacken, Old Norse hnakki nape of neck

Word History and Origins

Origin of neck¹

Old English hnecca; related to Old High German hnack, Old Irish cnocc hill

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. be up to one's neck, Informal. to have a surfeit; be overburdened:

   Right now she's up to her neck in work.

2. break one's neck, Informal. to make a great effort:

   We broke our necks to get there on time.

3. get it in the neck, Slang.
   1. to suffer punishment or loss:

      The trend is to consolidation and small businesses are getting it in the neck.

   2. to be rejected or dismissed:

      The employees got it in the neck when the company moved overseas.

   3. to be sharply reprimanded or scolded.
4. neck and neck, even or very close; indeterminate as to the outcome:

   They were coming toward the finish line neck and neck.

5. neck of the woods, Informal. neighborhood, area, or vicinity:

   Next time you're in this neck of the woods, drop in.

6. stick one's neck out, Informal. to expose oneself to danger, disaster, failure, disgrace, etc.; take a risk:

   He stuck his neck out by supporting an unpopular candidate.

7. win by a neck,
   1. to win by a small amount or narrow margin.
   2. Racing. to be first by a head and neck; finish closely.

More idioms and phrases containing neck

• albatross around one's neck
• break one's back (neck)
• breathe down someone's neck
• dead from the neck up
• millstone around one's neck
• pain in the neck
• risk life and limb (one's neck)
• save someone's bacon (neck)
• stick one's neck out
• up to one's ears (neck)

Example Sentences

There are numerous ways in which a poorly adjusted chair can do damage to your body, from causing poor circulation to straining your neck.

From Popular-Science

When you hit the couch and turn on the television after a long day of work, the last thing you want is to crane and cramp your neck attempting to get a clear and comfortable view.

From Popular-Science

In the ’70s or ’80s, you’d have a cross or Star of David around your neck.

From Washington Post

The snake then stretches its neck up and repeats the process.

From Science News For Students

Feed one a photo of a man cropped right below his neck, and 43% of the time, it will autocomplete him wearing a suit.

From MIT Technology Review

But his fingers moved through her silky strands of hair, and then down her neck.

From The Daily Beast

His chin rested on the thick plastic collar buckled around his neck.

From The Daily Beast

I received many bruises on my collarbones, neck, chest, and shoulders.

From The Daily Beast

Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo then sought to bring the hulking Garner down by yoking him around the neck.

From The Daily Beast

The 21-year-old was shot three times—twice in the back and once in the back of his neck.

From The Daily Beast

One would not have wanted her white neck a mite less full or her beautiful arms more slender.

From Project Gutenberg

For of sadness cometh death, and it overwhelmeth the strength, and the sorrow of the heart boweth down the neck.

From Project Gutenberg

As the window dropped, Ripperda saw the wounded postilion fall on the neck of his horse.

From Project Gutenberg

About her neck was hung a covered basket and a door-key; and Davy at once concluded that she was Sindbad's house-keeper.

From Project Gutenberg

The governor attacked him, and on the way down stabbed him in the neck, with such force that he tripped and fell down.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• collar