Word
loin
US/ˈɫɔɪn/
UK/lˈɔɪn/
Definitions
01cut of meat
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Cooking
n. a high-quality piece of meat from the back of an animal, like a pig or cow.
n. a cut of meat from the upper side of the animal's body, specifically between the ribs and the pelvis.
“The chef prepared a roasted pork loin with herbs for the Sunday dinner.”
“The recipe calls for a whole beef loin, which should be trimmed of excess fat before being seared over high heat.”
Synonyms
02part of the body
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technical
n. the area of the body on either side of the spine between the ribs and the hips.
n. the part of the human or quadruped body situated on each side of the spinal column between the lowest ribs and the hip bones.
“The athlete felt a sharp pain in his left loin after the heavy lift.”
“Anatomical studies of the specimen revealed significant muscle development in the loin area, suggesting the animal was a powerful jumper.”
Synonyms
03reproductive area
C2 · Proficiency Plural noun Literary · Archaic
n. a word used in older books to talk about the reproductive organs or the source of children.
n. the reproductive organs, regarded as the seat of physical strength and generative power.
“The old story spoke of a king who had many sons from his loins.”
“The epic poem describes the hero's lineage as springing from the loins of ancient warriors who founded the city.”
Usage
Commonly found in the plural form 'loins' and in the idiom 'gird one's loins'.
Teaching tip
This sense is almost exclusively found in historical literature or religious texts; modern speakers only use it in the fixed idiom 'gird your loins' to mean preparing for a challenge.
Etymology
From Middle English loyne, from Old French loigne, from Vulgar Latin lumbea, from Latin lumbus, of uncertain origin, possibly from Oscan-Umbrian londwo- or Proto-Germanic lundwuz, both ultimately from Proto-Indo-European lendʰ- (“kidney, waist”). Cognate with Modern English lend (“loin”), Dutch lende, German Lende, Swedish länd (“haunch, loin”), Danish lænd, Proto-Slavic *lędvьje (Russian ля́двея (ljádveja)). Doublet of lend.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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