groin

C2 Topic:The Human Body

US /ɡrɔɪn/ UK /ɡrɔɪn/ See IPA manual

Freq #16831

Meanings

1

noun
the crease and surrounding region where the lower abdomen meets the inner thigh

The goalkeeper left the field with a strained groin.
2

noun
the curved edge or rib formed where two vaults intersect

Stone ribs emphasized each groin in the vaulted ceiling.
3

noun
a rigid barrier built out from a shore to limit erosion or control sand and currents

The timber groin trapped sand along the beach.
4

verb
to build or equip a vault or structure with groins

The builders groined the ceiling with intersecting stone ribs.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the crease and surrounding... inguinal region

2 noun · the curved edge or rib... groin rib

3 noun · a rigid barrier built out... groynebreakwater

Word family

Forms inguinal

Derived forms groinedgroininggroinal

Related forms inguinalvault breakwater

Etymology

An alteration of Middle English grynde, from Old English grund ("ground, bottom, abyss"). The anatomical depression is the earliest modern sense; architectural and coastal senses apply the idea to an edge, hollow, or projecting structure.

Topics

The Human Body

External links

# groin

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun, verb
**IPA (US):** /ɡrɔɪn/
**IPA (UK):** /ɡrɔɪn/
**Frequency rank:** 16831

## Meanings
1. the crease and surrounding region where the lower abdomen meets the inner thigh
2. the curved edge or rib formed where two vaults intersect
3. a rigid barrier built out from a shore to limit erosion or control sand and currents
4. to build or equip a vault or structure with groins

## Examples
- The goalkeeper left the field with a strained groin.
- Stone ribs emphasized each groin in the vaulted ceiling.
- The timber groin trapped sand along the beach.
- The builders groined the ceiling with intersecting stone ribs.

## Synonyms
- inguinal region
- groyne

## Derived Forms
- groined
- groining
- groinal

## Related Forms
- inguinal
- vault
- breakwater

## Etymology
An alteration of Middle English grynde, from Old English grund ("ground, bottom, abyss"). The anatomical depression is the earliest modern sense; architectural and coastal senses apply the idea to an edge, hollow, or projecting structure.

## Topics
- The Human Body

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