1
a
: the tarsal joint or region in the hind limb of a digitigrade quadruped (such as the horse) corresponding to the human ankle but elevated and bending backward see horse illustration
b
: a joint of a fowl's leg that corresponds to the hock of a quadruped
2
: a small cut of meat from a front or hind leg just above the foot
ham hocks
1
a
: pawn entry 2 sense 2
got his watch out of hock
b
: debt sense 2
in hock to the bank
2
: prison
hocked; hocking
US, informal
: to forcefully spit out (something, such as phlegm)
hock a loogie
hock a wad of tobacco
Synonyms
Verb (1)
Noun (3)
Examples of hock in a Sentence
Verb (1)
the prince had to hock the family jewels to pay his gambling debts
Noun (3)
some lowlife who had been in and out of hock most of his adult life
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Apr. 2024
The hard pass is especially effective when paired with a refusal to look up from your phone or a disdainful loogie hock.
—Evan Waite, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024
If using ham hock: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high, heat the olive oil, then brown the ham hock until golden, about 6 minutes.
—Ali Slagle, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024
The smoky ham hock really is the star of this dish.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hock 
Noun
Coppola last went into hock for another long-aborning and cost-overrunning project, which 45 years ago, almost to the day, also premiered at Cannes: the now legendary Apocalypse Now (1979).
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Apr. 2024
The hard pass is especially effective when paired with a refusal to look up from your phone or a disdainful loogie hock.
—Evan Waite, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024
If using ham hock: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high, heat the olive oil, then brown the ham hock until golden, about 6 minutes.
—Ali Slagle, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024
The smoky ham hock really is the star of this dish.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hock
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to hock
Dictionary Entries Near hock
Cite this Entry
“Hock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hock. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hock
1 of 3 noun1
: the region in the hind limb of a four-footed animal (as the horse) that corresponds to the human ankle
2
: a small cut of meat from either the front or hind leg just above the foot especially of a pig
ham hocks
hock
2 of 3 verbhock
3 of 3 noun
: pawn entry 2 sense 2
got the ring out of hock
Etymology
Noun
Old English hōh "heel"
Noun
from Dutch hok "pen, prison"
Medical Definition
hock
noun
: the joint or region of the joint that unites the tarsal bones in the hind limb of a digitigrade quadruped (as the horse) and that corresponds to the human ankle but is elevated and bends backward
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