shank

1 of 2

noun

ˈshaŋk 

1

a

: the part of the leg between the knee and the ankle in humans or the corresponding part in various other vertebrates

b

: leg

c

: a cut of beef, veal, mutton, or lamb from the upper or the lower part of the leg : shin see beef illustration

2

: a straight narrow usually essential part of an object: such as

a

: the straight part of a nail or pin

b

: a straight part of a plant : stem, stalk

c

: the part of an anchor between the ring and the crown see anchor illustration

d

: the part of a fishhook between the eye and the bend

e

: the part of a key between the handle and the bit

f

: the stem of a tobacco pipe or the part between the stem and the bowl

g

: tang entry 1 sense 3

h(1)

: the narrow part of the sole of a shoe beneath the instep

(2)

: shankpiece

3

: a part of an object by which it can be attached: such as

a(1)

: a projection on the back of a solid button

(2)

: a short stem of thread that holds a sewn button away from the cloth

b

: the end (as of a drill bit) that is gripped in a chuck

4

a

: the latter part of a period of time

b

: the early or main part of a period of time

11 p.m. on the East coast is merely the shank of the evening on the West coast

5

slang : an often homemade knife

shanked

ˈshaŋ(k)t 

adjective

shank

2 of 2

verb

shanked; shanking; shanks

transitive verb

: to hit (a golf ball or shot) with the extreme heel of the club so that the ball goes off in an unintended direction

also : to kick (a football) in an unintended direction

Synonyms

Noun

• blade
• cutter
• knife
• shiv [slang]

Examples of shank in a Sentence

Noun

the shank of a drill bit

slashed at the prison guard with a shank he had secretly made from a scrap of metal

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The seafood-forward seasonal menu highlights regional produce and contemporary Australian cuisine with dishes like Tasmanian scallops, King Island Sirloin and Tasmanian lamb shank. —Kaila Yu, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024

There’s one bad shank, a 20-yarder off the side of his foot. —Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024

Verb

Osceola goes three and out on its first possession and shanks a punt (minus 4 yards). —Staff Reports, Orlando Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024

The Bruins’ drive lasted just four plays before their punter, Brody Richter, shanked his own kick, handing USC the ball at midfield. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English shanke, from Old English scanca; akin to Old Norse skakkr crooked, Greek skazein to limp

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1927, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing shank

• shank's mare

Kids Definition

shank

noun

ˈshaŋk

1

a

: the part of the leg between the knee and the ankle in human beings or a similar part in various other vertebrates

b

: a cut of meat (as beef or lamb) from usually the upper part of a leg

2

a

: the straight shaft (as of a nail, pin, or fishhook)

b

: the narrow part of the sole of a shoe beneath the instep

3

: a part of a tool that connects the acting part with a part by which it is held or moved

the shank of a drill bit

the shank of a key

4

: a part of something by which it can be attached: as

a

: a part that sticks out on the back of a solid button

b

: a short stem of thread that holds a sewn button away from the cloth

shanked

ˈshaŋ(k)t

adjective

Medical Definition

shank

noun

ˈshaŋk 

: the part of the leg between the knee and the ankle in humans or a corresponding part in other vertebrates