What does shank mean?
A shank is most directly the shin, the part of the leg between the knee and ankle. The word also names the long, narrow shaft of a tool, such as a chisel or hammer, and a cut of meat from an animal's lower leg. In golf, “shanking” a ball describes striking it with the heel of the club, causing an unwanted sideways or weakly struck shot. Although “shin” is more familiar in ordinary conversation, “shank” remains useful in anatomical, technical, culinary, and sporting contexts. Its range of meanings reflects the word's long history and its association with long, narrow, functional pieces of the body and of objects.
The part of the leg between the knee and ankle; the shin. It can also refer to the shaft of a tool or a cut of meat from an animal's leg.
"The sharp edges of the broken shank cut deeply into his boot."
To strike a golf ball with the heel of the club, causing it to travel poorly.
"He shanked his drive into the rough."
The plural shanks is used for multiple lower legs or shins, multiple tool shafts, and multiple cuts of meat from an animal's leg.
"The butcher separated the lamb shanks and set them aside for the stew."
One word can name a person's shin, the shaft of a tool, and a cut of meat from an animal's leg: all share the idea of a long, sturdy piece.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shank come from?
The word descends from Old English sċanca, an Old English term for the lower leg or shin. It belongs to a Germanic word family that includes related forms in Dutch and German for the lower leg or shin. The sense meaning the shaft of a tool developed by analogy with a long, narrow leg-like piece, while the culinary sense refers to meat cut from the animal's leg.
Related word forms
How shank is actually used
As an anatomical term, “shank” is formal and less common than “shin,” though it remains standard in anatomical and sporting contexts. The tool sense is technical, while the meat sense is common in butchers' and culinary language. “Shanking” a golf ball is informal sporting terminology for striking it with the heel of the club.
Easily confused with shank
A shank may refer to the shin or to a tool's shaft, whereas a shaft most often means a long, narrow component of a machine, tool, or piece of equipment.
A shank can be a cut of meat from an animal's leg, while a steak is a broader term for a thick slice of meat and may come from several parts of the animal.