Neck: Definition, Anatomy, and Usage Examples

Meaning 1：part between head and shoulders (neck)

neck 🔊

/nek/

The part of your body that connects your head to your shoulders.

Neck anatomy diagram showing head and shoulders connection

part between head and shoulders 🔊

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/pɑːrt bɪˈtwiːn hed ænd ˈʃoʊldərz/

The neck is the part of the body that connects the head to the torso. It contains the cervical vertebrae, muscles, and the throat.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'hnecca' (narrow part), akin to German 'Genick'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a giraffe stretching its neck to reach leaves – it's the connector.

📖 Example

She wrapped a warm scarf around her neck to keep out the winter chill. 🔊 She wore a warm scarf around her neck to protect herself from the cold winter.

🔗 Collocations

stiff neck – a condition where the neck muscles are sore and difficult to move

neck pain – discomfort or soreness in the neck area

neck injury – damage to the tissues or bones of the neck

🔄 Synonyms

nape (n.) – the back part of the neck

throat (n.) – the front part of the neck that contains the windpipe and esophagus

cervical region (n.) – the anatomical area of the neck, especially the vertebrae

🌱 Derivatives

necklace (n.) – a piece of jewelry worn around the neck

neckline (n.) – the edge of a garment at the neck

neckband (n.) – a band worn around the neck

📖 Cultural Story

From Proto-Germanic *hnakkô. The neck's vulnerability led to idioms like 'stick one's neck out'. Also used metaphorically in 'neck of the woods'.