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.
It was only last month that former Schindler executive Silvio Napoli took the reins as CEO.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
The cowboy grips its reins and mane with one hand, his sole sure purchase on the almost upright animal, and flings out his free arm to balance himself.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
When I asked McCleary about what those internal conversations were like, he reiterated that the company lets general managers take the reins on events at its many official national outposts.
From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026
Hill-Lewis took over the reins from Steenhuisen in April.
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026
She tugged on his reins, but Dodger didn’t budge.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
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.
