Definition of shoulder

• n. - The joint, or the region of the joint, by which the fore limb is connected with the body or with the shoulder girdle; the projection formed by the bones and muscles about that joint.
• n. - The flesh and muscles connected with the shoulder joint; the upper part of the back; that part of the human frame on which it is most easy to carry a heavy burden; -- often used in the plural.
• n. - Fig.: That which supports or sustains; support.
• n. - That which resembles a human shoulder, as any protuberance or projection from the body of a thing.
• n. - The upper joint of the fore leg and adjacent parts of an animal, dressed for market; as, a shoulder of mutton.
• n. - The angle of a bastion included between the face and flank. See Illust. of Bastion.
• n. - An abrupt projection which forms an abutment on an object, or limits motion, etc., as the projection around a tenon at the end of a piece of timber, the part of the top of a type which projects beyond the base of the raised character, etc.
• v. t. - To push or thrust with the shoulder; to push with violence; to jostle.
• v. t. - To take upon the shoulder or shoulders; as, to shoulder a basket; hence, to assume the burden or responsibility of; as, to shoulder blame; to shoulder a debt.