groin

1 of 2

noun

1
: the fold or depression marking the juncture of the lower abdomen and the inner part of the thigh
also : the region of this line
2
a
: the projecting curved line along which two intersecting vaults meet
b
: a rib that covers this edge
3
: a rigid structure built out from a shore to protect the shore from erosion, to trap sand, or to direct a current for scouring a channel

Illustration of groin

Illustration of groin
  • groin 2a

groin

2 of 2

verb

groined; groining; groins

transitive verb

: to build or equip with groins

Examples of groin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In most cases, there is a painful swelling of the lymph node in the groin, armpit or neck areas. Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 Sharks goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, who had a minor groin injury last week, was on the ice for the second straight day Tuesday. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Surgical teams thread a long thin wire called a catheter through blood vessels, starting with a puncture in the groin and reaching the left atrium, the heart’s upper chamber that collects oxygen-rich blood from the lungs, pumping it on to feed the body. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 The disease typically started with a fever, followed by swellings in the groin and armpit, then a coma or delirium, then death. Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 26 Jan. 2024 Williams missed four games in the first half of the season because of a lingering groin injury and then tore his ACL in Week 14, which sidelined him for the rest of the year. Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024 The tests involve swabbing the armpits and the groin, which are oily parts of skin that the fungus likes to colonize. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 2 Feb. 2024 In addition, she’s getting tested for a chain of growths that appeared around her groin, under her armpits, and below her breasts. Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2024 Ham mentioned the Lakers making their comeback with Hayes at center and Davis having aggravated his groin/hip injury on Saturday for reasons that Davis didn’t go back in. Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'groin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of Middle English grynde, from Old English, abyss; akin to Old English grund ground

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of groin was circa 1532

Dictionary Entries Near groin

Cite this Entry

“Groin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groin. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

groin

1 of 2 noun
1
: the junction of the lower abdomen and the inner part of the thigh or the part of the body around this junction
2
: the curved line or rib on a ceiling along which two vaults meet

groin

2 of 2 verb
: to build or equip with groins

Medical Definition

groin

noun
: the fold or depression marking the juncture of the lower abdomen and the inner part of the thigh
also : the region of this line

More from Merriam-Webster on groin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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