haunch

noun

ˈhȯnch 

ˈhänch

1

a

: hip entry 1 sense 1a

b

: hindquarter sense 2

—usually used in plural

2

: hindquarter sense 1

3

: either side of an arch between the springing and the crown

Phrases

on one's haunches

: in a squatting position

Synonyms

• backside
• behind
• booty [slang]
• bootie
• bottom
• breech
• bum
• buns
• butt
• buttocks
• caboose
• can
• cheeks
• derriere
• derrière
• duff
• fanny
• fundament
• hams
• heinie [slang]
• hunkers
• keister [slang]
• keester
• nates
• posterior
• rear
• rear end
• rump
• seat
• tail
• tail end
• tush [slang]

Examples of haunch in a Sentence

squatted down on her haunches to get a better shot of the ducks with her camera

Recent Examples on the Web

Below those small fang-blades, each haunch floats independently over its respective wheel, the body panel previously connecting them deleted to save weight. —New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2024

There was the great wheel of his jaw, and the thick haunch of his neck. —Matthew Klam, The New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2024

Behind a large glass case, haunches of Texas heritage hogs, along with a dizzying array of dry-aging strip and ribeye steaks, dry-age and cure. —Rona Berg, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

After snapping a few pictures in the fading light and then caping and slabbing off the sheep’s haunches and other edible meat, there was very little daylight left. —Jim Carmichel, Outdoor Life, 25 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English haunche, from Anglo-French hanche, haunche, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch hanke haunch

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

haunch

noun

ˈhȯnch 

ˈhänch

1

a

: hip entry 2

b

: hindquarter sense 2

—usually used in plural

2

: hindquarter sense 1