chine

1 of 2

noun

ˈchīn How to pronounce chine (audio)
Synonyms of chinenext
1
: backbone, spine
also : a cut of meat including all or part of the backbone
2
: the intersection of the bottom and the sides of a flat or V-bottomed boat

chine

2 of 2

verb

chined; chining

transitive verb

: to cut through the backbone of (as in butchering)

Synonyms

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of chine in a Sentence

Noun uncovered the chine of some animal while digging in the backyard
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.
Noun
The aircraft displays prominent chine lines extending to the nose, resembling aspects of the J-20 fighter jet’s central fuselage. — Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French eschine, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German scina shinbone, needle — more at shin

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chine was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing chine

Rhymes for chine

See All Rhymes for chine

Browse Nearby Words

Chindwin
chine
Chinee
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chine. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

chine

noun
ˈchīn
: backbone sense 1, spine
also : a cut of meat including the backbone or part of it and the surrounding flesh
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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All