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

First, doctors make a small puncture in an artery, usually in the groin, and feed a catheter up into the patient’s heart.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

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 forward began struggling with a painful, recurring groin issue at the end of last season.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

It was then that Palmer's painful groin issue worsened - something he has been trying to overcome during two separate spells, having been permitted time to train with his cousin, a personal trainer, in Dubai.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

They were convinced that the bullet lay somewhere in the muscles of the lower abdomen near the groin.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow