shoulder

The word “shoulder” means the joint and surrounding area where the arm meets the torso. In plain terms, the body part between neck and arm; also, to take on a burden or push with force.

“Shoulder” is pronounced SHOHL-duh (/ˈʃoʊldɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “shoulder” used in a sentence: “She hurt her shoulder lifting the box.”

Depending on how it is used, “shoulder” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “shoulder” comes from Old English. From Old English sċuldor, of uncertain deeper origin, possibly related to "shield".

“Shoulder” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Shoulder” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the joint and surrounding area where the arm meets the torso.

The shoulder is powered by several muscles. The deltoid gives it its rounded shape and lifts the arm. Beneath it, the four rotator cuff muscles stabilize the joint and allow rotation. The trapezius and surrounding back and chest muscles also connect here, making the shoulder one of the body's most mobile joints.

As a verb, 'to shoulder' means either to carry something on your shoulder, or, figuratively, to take on a burden or responsibility — 'she shouldered the blame.' It can also mean to push through with the shoulder, as in 'he shouldered his way through the crowd.' The idea of bearing weight runs through each sense.

The shoulder of a road is the strip of land or paving along its edge, beside the main lanes. On highways this is often called the hard shoulder, where vehicles can stop safely in an emergency. The word borrows from the body: it's the supportive edge running alongside the main route.

'He carried the bag over his shoulder,' or 'She rested her head on his shoulder.' Medically, 'he dislocated his shoulder playing rugby.' Figuratively, 'they had to shoulder the cost.' Each use points back to the joint where the arm meets the body, or the ideas of support and bearing weight.