SHOULDER Definition & Meaning

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shoulder

[ shohl-der ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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.
1. the end surface or surfaces of a piece from which a tenon or tenons project.
2. 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.
shoulder season.
Furniture. knee ( def 6 ).

verb (used with object)

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.
Synonyms: , ,

verb (used without object)

to push with or as if with the shoulder:
to shoulder through a crowd.

shoulder

/ ˈʃəʊ��ə /

noun

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.
1. to treat someone in a cold manner; snub
2. to ignore or shun someone
put one's shoulder to the wheel informal.
to work very hard
rub shoulders with
See rub
shoulder to shoulder
1. side by side or close together
2. in a corporate effort

verb

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

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Other �y��vlog Forms

�ǳܳ��ȴ��ǳܱ�d�� verb (used with object)
��·��ǳܱ�d�� verb (used with object)
�ܲ�·��ǳܱ�d�� adjective

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of shoulder¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun sholder, s(c)hulder, Old English sculdor; cognate with Dutch schouder, German Schulter; the verb is derivative of the noun

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of shoulder¹

Old English sculdor; related to Old High German sculterra

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Idioms and Phrases

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.
1. to place a rifle muzzle upward on the right or left shoulder, with the buttstock in the corresponding hand.
2. 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.
straight from the shoulder, without evasion; directly; candidly:
The lawyer told him straight from the shoulder that his case was weak.

More idioms and phrases containing shoulder

In addition to the idiom beginning with 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 .

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"Following the court hearing I feel relieved and a massive weight has lifted from my shoulders," said Miss Robinson.

From

Richard Parry, the Canal and River Trust's chief executive, said it was not "sustainable for a charity to shoulder the full financial burden of this new legislative requirement".

From

"I, meanwhile, stand shoulder to shoulder with our staff who work so tirelessly to protect our patients from the impact of anti-abortion harassment outside the clinic gate."

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Price is up to third after receiving a bye in the quarters following Michael van Gerwen's withdrawal with a shoulder injury.

From

He pulled on to the hard shoulder and ran towards screams coming from the Toyota.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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