haunch

noun

ˈhȯnch How to pronounce haunch (audio)
ˈhänch
1
b
: hindquarter sense 2
usually used in plural
2
3
: either side of an arch between the springing and the crown
Phrases
on one's haunches
: in a squatting position

Examples of haunch in a Sentence

squatted down on her haunches to get a better shot of the ducks with her camera
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
May neither the Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches. Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 Aug. 2024 Below those small fang-blades, each haunch floats independently over its respective wheel, the body panel previously connecting them deleted to save weight. New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2024 There was the great wheel of his jaw, and the thick haunch of his neck. Matthew Klam, The New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2024 Behind a large glass case, haunches of Texas heritage hogs, along with a dizzying array of dry-aging strip and ribeye steaks, dry-age and cure. Rona Berg, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for haunch 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English haunche, from Anglo-French hanche, haunche, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch hanke haunch

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of haunch was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near haunch

Cite this Entry

“Haunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haunch. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

haunch

noun
ˈhȯnch How to pronounce haunch (audio)
ˈhänch
1
b
: hindquarter sense 2
usually used in plural
2

More from Merriam-Webster on haunch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!