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.
Now you must let go of those reins and accept that it’s OK to live on a finite amount of money.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
The company then said JDE Peet’s boss Rafael Oliveira would lead the spinoff, but Oliveira left to take the reins at Dutch brewer Heineken.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
Mervyn has now largely handed the reins of the farm over to one of his two sons, offering assistance when required.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
After 30 years on TV, Judge Judy is retiring and handing over the reins to her son, Judge Adam Levy, whose solo show ‘Adam’s Law’ premieres this month.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
Gripping the reins tighter, Razi pushed the ox into a little more speed.
From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook
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.
