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DictionaryheelBack of the foot
noun / verb

heel

HEEL/hiːl/

The back end of the human foot.

The heel forms the rounded back of the foot below the ankle.

A neutral side view of an adult foot highlights the back portion below the ankle with one small functional outline, making the heel location clear; no injury or labels.
Etymology
heelOld Englishback of the foot

Old English hēla already named the back of the foot, so the anatomical meaning is inherited directly. The same body-part name later extended to the corresponding back part of a shoe or boot.

In context

Caleb Erickson Dying Breed Forge and Farrier CO.0:17
his hooves are literally not even touching the ground except in the back where the heel is that's because the heel has come so far forward that he's actually walking on his heel
These Hooves Were In Terrible Condition!!! How Can People Let This Happen - Satisfying Restoration

More examples

  • She lifts her heels off the floor to reach the shelf.
  • My right heel aches after a long walk.
  • The heel of his boot catches on the stair.
  • The dog heels beside its trainer during their walk.

Forms

heel · heels · heeled · heeling