groin

American  

[groin] / grɔɪn /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. Architecture. to form with groins.

groin British  

/ ɡrɔɪn /

noun

1. the depression or fold where the legs join the abdomen

2. euphemistic the genitals, esp the testicles

3. a variant spelling (esp US) of groyne

4. architect a curved arris formed where two intersecting vaults meet

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verb

1. (tr) architect to provide or construct with groins

Other Word Forms

• ungroined adjective

Etymology

Origin of groin

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

Example Sentences

Wallick wears a helmet and a cup when he goes water skiing, after once taking a hit to the groin that knocked him off his skis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The point guard was named the Big 12’s most improved player and is coming back from a groin injury he suffered last Thursday against Iowa State.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Smith, 36, travelled to Sri Lanka as cover after captain Mitchell Marsh was hit in the groin area last week and suffered "testicular bleeding".

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

But Newcastle expect Joelinton to return from a groin injury imminently while the club hope Lewis Miley will not be sidelined for too long with a dead leg.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

There was fungus, too, issuing out of the cracks, and in the groin of a branch, in weird, spongy shapes.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill