groin

[ groin ]

noun

1. Anatomy. the fold or hollow on either side of the front of the body where the thigh joins the abdomen.
2. the general region of this fold or hollow.
3. Architecture. the curved line or edge formed by the intersection of two vaults.
4. Also groyne. a small jetty extending from a shore to prevent beach erosion.

verb (used with object)

1. Architecture. to form with groins.

groin

/ ɡrɔɪn /

noun

1. the depression or fold where the legs join the abdomen inguinal
2. euphemistic.
   the genitals, esp the testicles
3. See groyne
   a variant spelling (esp US) of groyne
4. architect a curved arris formed where two intersecting vaults meet

verb

1. tr architect to provide or construct with groins

Other Words From

• un·groined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of groin¹

1350–1400; earlier grine, Middle English grinde; compare Old English grynde “abyss,” akin to grund “bottom, ground ¹ ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of groin¹

C15: perhaps from English grynde abyss; related to ground ¹

Example Sentences

Even in Week 3, when Young suffered a groin injury, he traversed the sideline with a bag of ice taped to his inner thigh.

From Washington Post

Carr, back in the lineup after suffering a groin injury in the Raiders’ previous game, completed 11 of 20 first-half passes for 129 yards.

From Washington Post

It also saw quarterback Derek Carr exit with a groin injury.

From Washington Post

Items like hot water bottles can be placed in the groin, both armpits, and around the neck.

From Popular-Science

In Minnesota’s Week 5 game against the Seattle Seahawks, the Vikings lost star running back Dalvin Cook in the third quarter to a groin injury.

From FiveThirtyEight

Merabet had already been immobilized by a bullet to the groin.

From The Daily Beast

He closed his eyes, imagining the virgins, imagining away the pain in his head and groin.

From The Daily Beast

My gloved fingertips, soaked with blood on his pulseless groin, started to vibrate.

From The Daily Beast

After issuing follow-up groin and stomach kicks, he was arrested.

From The Daily Beast

One of the pictures showed Vice President Dick Cheney outside the Oval Office, hands cupped in front of his groin.

From The Daily Beast

Now with the same wind, the 12th of July, the duke of Medina with his fleet departed from the Groin.

From Project Gutenberg

The fleet, with much ado, after some days came to the Groin, and other harbours near adjoining.

From Project Gutenberg

Then she was hanging five feet out in the air over the sacred groin some fifty feet below.

From Project Gutenberg

Out beyond the great knee, Snake regarded her from his perch in the groin of yellow leaf.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon examining him he found he had received a wound near the navel, and another in the groin.

From Project Gutenberg