Meaning of shoulder In English

• 0 one of the two parts of the body at each side of the neck that join the arms to the rest of the body:

  • I rested my head on her shoulder.

  • Then she put her arm around my shoulder and gave me a kiss.

  • She glanced nervously over her shoulder to make sure no one else was listening.

  • He was about six feet tall with broad shoulders.

  • "I don't know what to do about it," said Martha, shrugging her shoulders.

  • The shoulders look a little tight. Do you want to try a larger size?

  • a jacket with padded shoulders

• 1 used to refer to the responsibility that someone has or feels for something:

  • A huge burden was lifted from my shoulders (= I became much less worried) when I told my parents about my problem.

  • Responsibility for the dispute rests squarely on the shoulders of the president.

• 2 a piece of meat that includes the upper part of an animal's front leg:

  • I've bought a shoulder of lamb for Sunday lunch.

• 3 an area along the side of a main road where cars can stop:

  • There were tire tracks left in the soft shoulder (= area of dirt or grass by the road).

• 4 to accept that you are responsible for something bad or difficult:

  • It is women who mainly shoulder responsibility for the care of elderly and disabled relatives.

  • Teachers cannot be expected to shoulder all the blame for poor exam results.

• 5 to put something on your shoulders to carry it:

  • Shouldering her pack, she strode off up the road.

  • She was carrying two suitcases and had to shoulder the door open.

  • He shouldered his way (= formed a way through by pushing with his shoulders) to the front of the crowd to get a better look.

• 6 one of the two rounded, bony parts of a person’s body on either side of the neck where the top of the arm is joined:

  • She put her head on my shoulder.

• 7 to accept responsibility for something:

  • It is usually women who shoulder the responsibility for the care of elderly relatives.

• 8 to put something on your shoulders to carry it:

  • Shouldering her pack, she strode off up the road.