to shoulder
6
3.6
- verb
- /ˈʃoʊldər/
- He shouldered his backpack and set off on the long hike.
- shoulder a pack
- shoulder a bag
- shoulder a backpack
Loading YouTube…
Watch on YouTubeYou 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
∞
1.0
Hold and move something from one place to another
29
3.8
To hang or lift something using a strap
21
6.0
To carry something heavy or awkward
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
24
7.6
Strong anger or hurt about being treated unfairly in the past
- Informal
1
7.4
In a direct and honest way without hiding feelings or opinions
- 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
To lean your head or body against another person's shoulder for comfort
Act in a careful, nervous way because you fear being watched or followed
Compounds
- Specialized
19
2.4
A flat, triangular bone on each side of the upper back that helps hold the arm
6
2.9
A hard rounded piece worn over the shoulder to protect from hits in sports like football or hockey
- Specialized
1
2.5
A flat triangular bone on the upper back that connects the arm to the body
- Specialized
1
3.9
A joint where the round top of the arm bone fits into the shoulder blade to move the arm
1
3.2
A paved area at the side of a motorway or main road where vehicles can stop in an emergency
- Jargon
1
6.8
A flat stiff piece worn on the shoulder to show rank in the military or police
- Specialized
1
5.7
The bones that connect the arms to the body, including collarbones and shoulder blades
- Specialized
1
6.8
A cloth badge worn on the shoulder of a military uniform that shows a soldier's unit
- Jargon
1
7.2
A decorative braided cord worn on one shoulder with a military or formal uniform
- Specialized
A way of dropping a bomb after flying past a target so the bomb falls back onto it
- 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.