# loin

/ˈɫɔɪn/ (US) · /lˈɔɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/loin
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. cut of meat

noun · CEFR B2

a high-quality piece of meat from the back of an animal, like a pig or cow.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. part of the body

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the area of the body on either side of the spine between the ribs and the hips.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. reproductive area

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

a word used in older books to talk about the reproductive organs or the source of children.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The chef grilled a thick cut of beef loin.
- When selecting a steak, many people prefer the loin because it is less fatty and more tender than other cuts.
- The anatomical structure of the loin is complex, containing several muscles that are often separated for different culinary purposes, such as tenderloin and sirloin.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.