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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
  2. 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
  3. a cut of meat consisting of the upper foreleg and attached parts
  4. the part of a garment that covers the shoulder
  5. something like a shoulder in shape or position; shoulderlike projection
  6. that part of the top of a piece of type which extends beyond the base of the raised character
  7. ☆ 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

  1. to push or thrust along or through, with or as with the shoulder to shoulder one's way through a crowd
  2. to take or carry upon the shoulder
  3. 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.
  1. to rest a rifle against the (right or left) shoulder, supporting the butt with the hand on the same side
    1. this position
    2. the command to assume it

shoulder to shoulder

  1. side by side and close together
  2. working together; with common effort

straight from the shoulder

  1. moving straight forward from the shoulder: said of a blow
  2. without reserve or evasion; frankly

turn a cold shoulder to

or give a cold shoulder to
  1. to treat with disdain; snub
  2. to avoid or shun

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms shoulder idiom

medical shoulder definition - medical

shoulder Synonyms

shoulder

n.

  1. Juncture of the fore leg or arm and body

    upper arm, upper leg, shoulder cut, shoulder joint; see arm 1, 2, joint 1.

  2. A projection

    collar, protrusion, road shoulder, soft shoulder; see ledge, ridge 1, 2.

cry on someone's shoulder

weep, object, shed tears; see cry 1, complain 1.

put one's shoulder to the wheel

labor, attempt, strive; see try 1, work 1.

rub shoulders with

be acquainted with, be familiar with, know, see frequently; see associate 1.

shoulder to shoulder

side by side, beside one another, together; see loyally, near 1.

straight from the shoulder*

honestly, frankly, openly; see direct, sincerely, truly 2.

turn<strong> or </strong>give a cold shoulder to

ignore, neglect, pass over, send to Coventry; see insult.


shoulder

v.

shove, jostle, push aside.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

shoulder Usage Examples

Object

  • burden: Here, the Islamic governments shoulder a heavy burden of responsibility.

Converse of object

  • rub: She recorded with many bands, and in the 60's rubbed shoulders with the likes of The Beatles.

Adjective modifier

  • frozen: Back pain, frozen shoulder, no results no fee.

Modifies a noun

  • strap: They are supplied in either carry bags with shoulder straps or 900 x 600mm molded, wheeled cases.

Noun used with modifier

  • rub: Rub shoulders with the jet-set on the promenade at Nice.

Preposition: of

  • giant: Heather Morning Climbing a mountain for me is like climbing onto the shoulder of a big friendly giant.
shoulder usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

shoulder quotes

America I'm putting my queer shoulder to the wheel.

-Ginsberg, Allen

The troubles of our proud and angry dust Are from eternity, and shall not fail. Bear them we can, and if we can we must. Shoulder the sky, my lad, and drink your ale.

-Housman, A(lfred) E(dward)

   Revolutions have never lightened the burden of tyranny: they have only shifted it to another shoulder.

-Shaw, George Bernard

shoulder quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"shoulder." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/shoulder>

APA Style

shoulder. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/shoulder

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