shoulder

Pluralshoulders

Formsshoulders, shouldering, shouldered

1. 1
   nouncountable

   The flat part of your body where your neck meets your arm.

   Like a small shelf where your neck meets your arm.

   She carried the heavy bag on her shoulder all day.

   He tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention.

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   A flat area of land, like a wide step, between a higher level and a lower level.

   Like a flat spot halfway up a long set of stairs, where you can stop and rest.

   Our cabin sits on a wide shoulder halfway between the river and the high ridge.

   The hikers stopped to rest on a flat shoulder before they started up the next steep slope.

   Similarterrace, shelf

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   The strip of ground at the edge of a road where cars can stop in an emergency.

   Like a safe space at the side of the road, where you can stop without blocking traffic.

   We pulled onto the shoulder when the tire went flat.

   Never walk along the shoulder of a busy highway.

   Similarverge, berm

   Note
4. 4
   verbfigurativelytransitive

   To take on a duty or problem and agree to deal with it.

   Like carrying a heavy bag so no one else has to.

   She agreed to shoulder the blame for the team's mistake.

   Young workers often shoulder too much responsibility too soon.

   Similarassume, accept, bear, carry, take

   Oppositeshirk, evade, dodge

   Note
5. 5
   verbfigurativelytransitive

   To take on and carry a heavy cost or duty.

   Like carrying a sack of bricks up a hill all by yourself.

   The company had to shoulder the cost of the recall.

   Many families shoulder huge debts to pay for college.

   Similarbear, carry, foot, absorb

6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To push a person or thing using your shoulder.

   Like pushing a stuck door with the side of your body.

   He shouldered the heavy door open.

   Bouncers shoulder rowdy guests toward the exit.

   Similarshove, barge, push, jostle, bump

7. 7
   verbtransitive

   To lift something up and rest it on your shoulders.

   Like swinging a bag up onto your back to carry it.

   The hiker shouldered his backpack and set off.

   Soldiers shoulder their rifles for the long march.

   Similarhoist, heft, carry, lift

8. 8
   nouncountable

   The joint that connects your arm to the rest of your body.

   Like a joint that lets your arm move in almost any direction.

   He hurt his shoulder playing baseball.

   Raising your arm uses the muscles around the shoulder.

   Note
9. 9
   nouncountable or uncountable

   A cut of meat from the upper front leg of an animal.

   We roasted a pork shoulder for Sunday dinner.

   Lamb shoulder is cheaper than the leg.

   Note
10. 10
    nouncountable

    The part of a shirt or coat that covers your shoulder.

    The jacket was too tight across the shoulders.

    She sewed a patch onto the shoulder of his shirt.

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