Shoulder

/ˈʃoʊldər/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The part of the body between the neck and the upper arm.

He felt a sharp pain in his shoulder after lifting the heavy box.

A projecting part of a structure or the area at the side of a road.

She parked her car on the shoulder of the highway.

The upper part of a garment, typically covering the shoulder area.

The dress had intricate lace details on the shoulders.

verb

To support or carry a burden.

He shouldered the responsibility of organizing the event.

To push or shove someone or something with the shoulder.

She shouldered her way through the crowded room.

Old English scolda, from Proto-West Germanic *skuldō.

shoulder to shoulder

Standing side by side, in support.

to shoulder the blame

To take responsibility for a fault or mistake.

to give someone a shoulder

To provide comfort or support to someone.

humerus

The bone of the upper arm.

scapula

The shoulder blade.

deltoid

The muscle that covers the shoulder.

To shoulder someone's work

He's always shouldering my tasks when I’m busy.

To throw a shoulder

He threw a shoulder into the door to break it down.