noun

le poing

fist

C'est la main fermée avec les doigts repliés contre la paume.

The French word "poing" means "fist" — the hand closed tightly with fingers curled into the palm.

Meaning:

It refers specifically to the hand in a clenched position, commonly associated with punching or expressing strength or anger.
For example: Il a serré les poings means He clenched his fists.

Synonyms and differences:

Main: Means "hand" in general. It includes the palm, fingers, and open or closed hand. So "main" is neutral and broad, while "poing" is specifically a closed hand.
Poignée: Means "handle" or "grip." Sometimes used metaphorically as a "small handful" (e.g., une poignée de sable – a handful of sand), but not used to talk about the fist.

Expressions with "poing":

mette un coup de poing – to punch.
se battre à coups de poing – to fight with fists.

In summary, "poing" is the precise term for a clenched fist, often suggesting strength, aggression, or determination. It's different from "main," which is any hand regardless of position.