Dictionary Home » Webster's New World College Dictionary » shoulder

shoulder

shoulder definition

shoul·der (s̸hōl′dər)

noun

1. the joint connecting the arm or forelimb with the body
2. the part of the body including this joint and extending to the base of the neck
the two shoulders and the part of the back between them: often used figuratively with reference to this region as a place where burdens are often carried
a cut of meat consisting of the upper foreleg and attached parts
the part of a garment that covers the shoulder
something like a shoulder in shape or position; shoulderlike projection
that part of the top of a piece of type which extends beyond the base of the raised character
☆ the strip of land along the edge of a paved road; berm

Etymology: ME schuldere < OE sculdor, akin to Ger schulter < IE *skḷdhrā, shoulder blade used as a spade < base *(s)kel-, to cut > shell, shilling, skull

transitive verb

to push or thrust along or through, with or as with the shoulder to shoulder one's way through a crowd
to take or carry upon the shoulder
to assume the burden of

intransitive verb

to push with the shoulder or shoulders

shoulder Idioms

cry on someone's shoulder

to tell one's troubles to someone in seeking comfort or sympathy

put one's shoulder to the wheel

to set to work vigorously; put forth vigorous effort

shoulder arms

Mil.