to shoulder
- verb
- /ˈʃoʊldər/
- He shouldered his backpack and set off on the long hike.
- shoulder a pack
- shoulder a bag
- shoulder a backpack
You pick up the cross and shoulder it uphill because that's where all the meaning in your life will be derived from.
- You pick up the cross and shoulder it uphill because that's where all the meaning in your life will be derived from.
Examples
-
Chingachgook slips through young trees and stops, shouldering his smoothbore musket.
Fiction book (1992) -
"They each shouldered the heavy pack and the water skin which was their share, then turned from the light that lay on the lands outside and plunged into the forest."
-
After thirty minutes sitting stock still, I stood up from the couch, shouldered the bag, and left the apartment.
Fiction book (2002) -
You pick up the cross and shoulder it uphill because that's where all the meaning in your life will be derived from.
-
Yehoshua did not reply, but rather knelt to shoulder a large, bulky pack that clearly was quite heavy.
Fiction book (1990) -
I stepped back two paces in a military manner, cleared and shouldered my carbine, and saluted.
Fiction book (1990) -
Once I was decently covered, I straightened my back and willingly shouldered the master's easel.
Fiction book (1996) -
Then the travelers shouldered their packs, resumed their arms, and quitting the little area of light, they again plunged into the deep shadows of the forest.
-
Before climbing, they shouldered their supplies to ensure they had everything for the journey.
-
The construction workers shouldered heavy beams to move them to the site.
Synonyms
Hold and move something from one place to another
To carry something heavy or awkward
To hang or lift something using a strap
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
In a direct and honest way without hiding feelings or opinions
- Informal
Strong anger or hurt about being treated unfairly in the past
- Informal
To work hard and continue when things are difficult
- Informal
To begin working very hard and not give up on a difficult task
Phrasal Verbs
Act in a careful, nervous way because you fear being watched or followed
To lean your head or body against another person's shoulder for comfort
Compounds
- Specialized
A flat, triangular bone on each side of the upper back that helps hold the arm
A hard rounded piece worn over the shoulder to protect from hits in sports like football or hockey
A paved area at the side of a motorway or main road where vehicles can stop in an emergency
- Specialized
A joint where the round top of the arm bone fits into the shoulder blade to move the arm
- Jargon
A flat stiff piece worn on the shoulder to show rank in the military or police
- Specialized
A flat triangular bone on the upper back that connects the arm to the body
- Specialized
The bones that connect the arms to the body, including collarbones and shoulder blades
- Specialized
A way of dropping a bomb after flying past a target so the bomb falls back onto it
- Jargon
A decorative braided cord worn on one shoulder with a military or formal uniform
- Specialized
A cloth badge worn on the shoulder of a military uniform that shows a soldier's unit
- Informal
Direct and honest in speech that does not hide what you think
How Heavy
Surface Forms
Etymology
Shoulder as a verb meaning 'to carry on the shoulders' comes from putting something onto your shoulder to carry it, so to 'shoulder' a bag is to lift it up and carry it there.