hindquarter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Specialized
Quick answer
What does “hindquarter” mean?
the back part of a four-legged animal, including the legs, loin, and rump.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the back part of a four-legged animal, including the legs, loin, and rump
A cut of meat from this region of an animal, especially beef; figuratively, the rear section of anything
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term in the same contexts.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “hindquarter” in a Sentence
the hindquarter of [ANIMAL]a [ADJ] hindquarterinjured its hindquarterVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hindquarter” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No standard verbal use.
American English
- No standard verbal use.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjectival use.
American English
- No standard adjectival use.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in meat wholesale/retail (e.g., 'We ordered a full beef hindquarter for processing').
Academic
Used in zoology, veterinary papers, and anatomy textbooks.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used descriptively by pet owners or when discussing cuts of meat.
Technical
Standard term in butchery, animal judging, and veterinary diagnostics.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hindquarter”
- Using 'hindquarter' to refer to humans (dehumanizing).
- Misspelling as 'hind quarter' (two words).
- Using singular when plural 'hindquarters' is more common for the general rear area.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are used. The singular ('a hindquarter') typically refers to one side of the rear section or a specific cut of meat. The plural ('hindquarters') is more common for referring generally to the rear part of an animal.
No, it is not standard and would be considered dehumanizing or humorous. Use terms like 'buttocks', 'hips', or 'lower back' for humans.
The primary field is butchery and meat processing. Secondary fields are veterinary medicine, zoology, and animal husbandry.
They are often synonyms in butchery. 'Haunch' can sound slightly more culinary or literary, while 'hindquarter' is the standard technical term in meat trade and anatomy.
the back part of a four-legged animal, including the legs, loin, and rump.
Hindquarter is usually technical / specialized in register.
Hindquarter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaɪndˌkwɔː.tər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaɪndˌkwɔr.t̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: the HIND (back) part of an animal that constitutes a QUARTER (a fourth) of its whole meat yield.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBJECT IS AN ANIMAL (e.g., 'the car's hindquarter was damaged in the collision').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'hindquarter' MOST appropriately used?