shin

1 of 4

noun (1)

: the front part of the vertebrate leg below the knee

shin

2 of 4

verb

shinned; shinning

intransitive verb

1
: shinny
2
: to move forward rapidly on foot

transitive verb

1
: to kick or strike on the shins
2
: to climb by shinnying

shin

3 of 4

noun (2)

ˈshēn How to pronounce shin (audio)
ˈshin
: the 22nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet see Alphabet Table

Shin

4 of 4

noun (3)

ˈshin How to pronounce Shin (audio)
ˈshēn
: a major Japanese Buddhist sect that emphasizes salvation by faith in exclusive worship of Amida Buddha

Examples of shin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In the first video, Kardashian showed a close-up of her shin. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 31 Jan. 2024 Repeat Toe taps: Lay back with arms by sides, legs bent at 90 degrees, and feet lifted in the air so shins are parallel to the floor. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 29 Jan. 2024 What to Consider The snug cuff may be too much for those with sensitive shins or bulky calves. Douglas Schnitzspahn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2023 The tall silhouette helps keep your shins and feet warm, and the dark color is ideal for pairing with jeans or leggings. Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 12 Jan. 2024 Plus, a spray applicator ensures even distribution of product — meaning no more dry patches on your shins or forearms. Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 19 Dec. 2023 Doctors in Egypt sought to amputate beneath his right shin. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023 Price at time of publish: $139 The 14 Best Fleece Jackets of 2023 Best Ski Socks Smartwool Ski Targeted Cushion Over-the-calf Socks View On Amazon View On REI View On Zappos A pair of high-quality socks that don’t bunch up and pinch your shins are crucial for a comfortable skiing experience. Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2023 Your goal is to lower your weights to your shins and have your torso parallel to the ground before reversing the move. Jenny McCoy, SELF, 6 Nov. 2023
Verb
With the winter sun shinning brightly and a chilly breeze ruffling aquamarine Mediterranean waters just beyond the camp’s edge, the family soon got down to sharing a meal — traditional bread with lentils and ruby red tomatoes. Yasmine Salam, NBC News, 15 Feb. 2024 This length is most often used by mountaineers due to the use of taller boots that can rub against your calves and shins more dramatically. Meg Carney, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024 Jump your feet forward so your knees are below your hips, shins off the floor. Ebenezer Samuel, Men's Health, 7 July 2023 The thick outsole is durable against even the toughest terrain, and the thick, 100% synthetic material protects your feet and shins against wear and tear to stand the test of time. Annie O'Sullivan, goodhousekeeping.com, 10 June 2023 The pediatrician also observed that the boy had injuries on his thighs and shins consistent with being hit by a belt that was found in the apartment. Gina Martinez, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shin.' 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 (1)

Middle English shine, from Old English scinu; akin to Old High German scina shin, Old English scīa shin, leg

Noun (2)

Hebrew shīn

Noun (3)

Japanese, literally, truth

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1823, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shin was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near shin

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

shin

1 of 2 noun
: the front part of the leg below the knee

shin

2 of 2 verb
shinned; shinning
: shinny

Medical Definition

shin

noun
: the front part of the leg below the knee

More from Merriam-Webster on shin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!