shoulder
the part of each side of the body in humans, at the top of the trunk, extending from each side of the base of the neck to the region where the arm articulates with the trunk.
Usually shoulders . these two parts together with the part of the back joining them.
a corresponding part in animals.
the upper foreleg and adjoining parts of a sheep, goat, etc.
the joint connecting the arm or the foreleg with the trunk.
a shoulderlike part or projection.
Ornithology. the bend of a bird's wing, between the hand and the forearm, especially when distinctively colored, as in the red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus.
a cut of meat that includes the upper joint of the foreleg.
Often shoulders .Informal. capacity for bearing responsibility or blame or sympathizing with other people: If you want to tell me your troubles, I have broad shoulders.
a steplike change in the contour of an object, as for opposing or limiting motion along it or for an abutment.
Carpentry.
the end surface or surfaces of a piece from which a tenon or tenons project.
an inclined and raised surface, as on a joggle post, for receiving and supporting the foot of a strut or the like.
Fortification. the angle of a bastion between the face and the flank.
Printing. the flat surface on a type body extending beyond the base of the letter or character.
the part of a garment that covers, or fits over, the shoulder.
(in leather manufacturing) that part of the hide anterior to the butt.
either of the two edges or borders along a road, especially that portion on which vehicles can be parked in emergencies.: Compare soft shoulder.
Furniture. knee (def. 6).
to push with or as if with the shoulder, especially roughly: to shoulder someone aside.
to take upon, support, or carry on or as if on the shoulder or shoulders: He shouldered his knapsack and walked on.
to assume as a responsibility: to shoulder the expense.
to push with or as if with the shoulder: to shoulder through a crowd.
Idioms about shoulder
cry on someone's shoulder, to reveal one's problems to another person in order to obtain sympathy: Don't cry on my shoulder—this mess is your own fault.
put one's shoulder to the wheel, to work energetically toward a goal; put forth effort: If we put our shoulders to the wheel, we'll be able to finish the job soon.
rub shoulders with, to come into association with; mingle with: The gallery was a space where bohemian artists would rub shoulders with both affluent collectors and the general public.
shoulder arms, Military.
to place a rifle muzzle upward on the right or left shoulder, with the buttstock in the corresponding hand.
the command to shoulder arms.
shoulder to shoulder, side by side; with united effort: The volunteers worked shoulder to shoulder with the locals in harvesting the crops.
Origin of shoulder
1Other words for shoulder
Other words from shoulder
- outshoulder, verb (used with object)
- re·shoul·der, verb (used with object)
- un·shoul·dered, adjective
Words Nearby shoulder
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use shoulder in a sentence
Anatoliy slapped me on the shoulder and told me he knew it all along—all I had needed to do was change my attitude.
The quest to snare—and save—the world’s largest owl | Jonathan Slaght | August 28, 2020 | Popular-ScienceLeashes that attach at the back of a dog’s shoulders only reinforce pulling, Perry says.
My shoulders, which have irked me for months, have ceased to do so.
The Gym-Free Pandemic Workout: Kettlebells, Indian Clubs, Sandbags, Oh My! | Eugene Robinson | August 25, 2020 | OzyThey didn’t stand shoulder to shoulder but had separate sandboxes set up.
Morning Report: About Those Private Day Camps … | Voice of San Diego | August 18, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoTodays’ POS systems offer in-built SEO tools in your point of sale system taking much of the burden off your shoulders.
So I just patted him kind-like on the shoulder and sat down.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile | Robert Ward | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTBut Liberty is always dipping his shoulder, whirling around.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile | Robert Ward | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST“I only touched his shoulder,” the pastor told sheriffs, according to the police report.
Exposed: The Gay-Bashing Pastor’s Same-Sex Assault | M.L. Nestel | December 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHer mother, pregnant at the time of the killing, was hit in the shoulder by a bullet from the same gun that killed her son.
According to Ibrahim, the police officers grabbed him by the shoulder and struck him in the face.
In Jerusalem Home Demolitions, the Biblical Justice of Revenge | Creede Newton | November 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTShe was holding the back of her chair with one hand; her loose sleeve had slipped almost to the shoulder of her uplifted arm.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinI only saw the glitter of a bayonet which a Mexican thrust into his shoulder, at the very moment he was helping me up.
For a moment Joe stood behind her, silently, looking over her shoulder at the signature of Isom Chase.
The Bondboy | George W. (George Washington) OgdenUncle David nodded, and waved his hand, as on entering the door he gave them a farewell smile over his shoulder.
Checkmate | Joseph Sheridan Le FanuRising at once he bundled up his traps, threw the line of his small hand-sledge over his shoulder, and stepped out for home.
The Giant of the North | R.M. Ballantyne
British Dictionary definitions for shoulder
/ (ˈʃəʊldə) /
the part of the vertebrate body where the arm or a corresponding forelimb joins the trunk: the pectoral girdle and associated structures
the joint at the junction of the forelimb with the pectoral girdle
a cut of meat including the upper part of the foreleg
printing the flat surface of a piece of type from which the face rises
tanning the portion of a hide covering the shoulders and neck of the animal, usually including the cheeks
the part of a garment that covers the shoulder
anything that resembles a shoulder in shape or position
the strip of unpaved land that borders a road
engineering a substantial projection or abrupt change in shape or diameter designed to withstand thrust
photog the portion of the characteristic curve of a photographic material indicating the maximum density that can be produced on the material
jewellery the part of a ring where the shank joins the setting
a shoulder to cry on a person one turns to for sympathy with one's troubles
give someone the cold shoulder informal
to treat someone in a cold manner; snub
to ignore or shun someone
put one's shoulder to the wheel informal to work very hard
rub shoulders with See rub (def. 11)
shoulder to shoulder
side by side or close together
in a corporate effort
(tr) to bear or carry (a burden, responsibility, etc) as if on one's shoulders
to push (something) with or as if with the shoulder
(tr) to lift or carry on the shoulders
shoulder arms military to bring the rifle vertically close to the right side with the muzzle uppermost and held at the trigger guard
Origin of shoulder
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with shoulder
In addition to the idiom beginning with shoulder
- shoulder to shoulder
also see:
- broad shoulders
- chip on one's shoulder
- cold shoulder
- cry on someone's shoulder
- good head on one's shoulders
- head and shoulders above
- on one's shoulders
- put one's shoulder to the wheel
- rub elbows (shoulders) with
- shrug one's shoulders
- square one's shoulders
- straight from the shoulder
- weight of the world on one's shoulders
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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