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.
Esparza, who officially takes the reins as president Thursday, could not immediately be reached for comment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Agatha Christie’s crime-fighting amateur sleuth will appear in a new novel for the first time since 1976—with bestselling thriller novelist Lucy Foley taking the reins.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
He had already handed over the reins as chief executive to hand-picked successor Greg Abel at the end of last year.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
As one senior figure said: "He has a worldview which the last one didn't - he's clear what he wants and he's grabbed the reins of power."
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
Tansy saw and slapped the reins on Siren’s rump.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
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.
