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

Screen Door Portland's iconic chicken and waffles joint is hosting its first Thanksgiving meal this year at its NW location, with all the traditional fare available a la carte, plus roasted salmon and a pork shank braised in red wine. —Kale Williams, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024

Other dishes come from Federici family recipes, including milanese con osso (a classic veal shank stew), a delicate vitello tonnato and the decadent layers of artichokes and potatoes in the filet millefeuille, a classic of Roman cuisine. —Ann Abel, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Verb

Past presidential guests were known for hitting the links, particularly Bill Clinton who, in November 1996, shanked a ball into the backyard of a home on the 17th hole of the Adobe course. —Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 23 Oct. 2024

Still, Fritz approached the net on break point and shanked a forehand volley, and it was tied at 5-all. —Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 8 Sep. 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