jaw

[ jaw ]

/ dʒɔ /

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See synonyms for: jaw / jaws on Thesaurus.com

noun

either of two bones, the mandible or maxilla, forming the framework of the mouth.

the part of the face covering these bones, the mouth, or the mouth parts collectively: My jaw is swollen.

jaws, anything resembling a pair of jaws or evoking the concept of grasping and holding: the jaws of a gorge; the jaws of death.

Machinery.

one of two or more parts, as of a machine, that grasp or hold something: the jaws of a vise.
any of two or more protruding parts for attaching to or meshing with similar parts.

Often jaws .Also called throat .Nautical. a forked piece at the end of a gaff, fitting halfway around the mast.

Slang.

idle talk; chatter.
impertinent talk.

verb (used without object)

Slang.

to talk; chat; gossip.
to scold or use abusive language.

verb (used with object)

Slang. to scold.

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Origin of jaw

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English jou(e), goue, jovwe, from Old French jo(u)e, jewe; further origin uncertain

OTHER WORDS FROM jaw

jawless, adjective

Words nearby jaw

javelin, javelina, javelin fish, Javel water, Javits, jaw, jawan, Jawara, jawbone, jawbreaker, jaw-dropping

Other definitions for jaw (2 of 2)

jaw²

[ jaw ]

/ dʒɔ /

Scot. and North England

noun

a swelling wave of water; billow.

verb (used without object)

(of liquid) to surge, splash, or dash forward, as in waves.

verb (used with object)

to pour or splash (liquid).

Origin of jaw

First recorded in 1505–15; perhaps akin to jaup

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use jaw in a sentence

Lemberg and his team initially thought that Tiktaalik might have used crocodile-like snapping motions to eat, given the apparent similarity of their jaws.
This ancient fish-crocodile mashup snared its prey using a key adaptation|Kate Baggaley|February 3, 2021|Popular-Science
The jaw came from a mosasaur living at the very end of the Cretaceous Period.
This ancient sea reptile had a slicing bite like no other|Jake Buehler|February 2, 2021|Science News
OpenAI’s GPT-3 algorithm collectively dropped jaws last year, both for its size—at the time, a record-setting 175 billion parameters—and its abilities.
New ‘Liquid’ AI Learns Continuously From Its Experience of the World|Jason Dorrier|January 31, 2021|Singularity Hub
Most arthropods have jaws similar to ours, called mandibles.
Explainer: Insects, arachnids and other arthropods|Curtis Segarra|January 19, 2021|Science News For Students

Neck massageIf you tend to clench your teeth to release stress, it’s very likely the muscles around your spine and right under your jaw feel stiff.
A step-by-step guide to giving yourself a massage|Sandra Gutierrez G.|January 14, 2021|Popular-Science
Aviation experts across the world experienced severe jaw dropping at this news.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It took me 1,015 strokes to see this shade of green in a world of orange, and my jaw nearly dropped.
Lost For Thousands of Strokes: 'Desert Golfing' Is 'Angry Birds' as Modern Art|Alec Kubas-Meyer|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The industry lore is downright jaw-dropping in the details of the cons known as “brick-in-box” returns.
The Insane $11 Billion Scam at Retailers’ Return Desks|M.L. Nestel|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even by the already money-drenched standards of American politics, the Eldridge campaign was a jaw-dropping spectacle to behold.
The Rise and Fall of Chris Hughes and Sean Eldridge, America’s Worst Gay Power Couple|James Kirchick|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And soon all of America got to see Ray in the ring with Janay, hitting her with a shot in the jaw.
The $44 Million Teflon Don of the NFL|Mike Barnicle|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My coup-d'œil assured me that it was practicable to give to this feature the character of a projecting under-jaw.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
He usually seizes his prey by the flank near the hind leg, or by the throat below the jaw.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
He had had his jaw smashed but I have seen men pull longer faces at breaking a collar stud.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
He had a long pale face with an indifferent complexion and the common American lantern jaw.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
The constable stared at the cadet for a moment and then his jaw dropped and likewise the club in his hand.
The Mystery at Putnam Hall|Arthur M. Winfield

British Dictionary definitions for jaw

jaw

/ (dʒɔː) /

noun

the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth. In higher vertebrates it consists of the upper jaw (maxilla) fused to the cranium and the lower jaw (mandible)Related adjectives: gnathal, gnathic

the corresponding part of an invertebrate, esp an insect

a pair or either of a pair of hinged or sliding components of a machine or tool designed to grip an object

slang

impudent talk; cheek
idle conversation; chat
moralizing talk; a lecture

verb

(intr) slang

to talk idly; chat; gossip
to lecture

Derived forms of jaw

jawlike, adjective

Word Origin for jaw

C14: probably from Old French joue cheek; related to Italian gota cheek

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for jaw

jaw

[ jô ]

Either of two bony or cartilaginous structures that in most vertebrate animals form the framework of the mouth, hold the teeth, and are used for biting and chewing food. The lower, movable part of the jaw is the mandible. The upper, fixed part is the maxilla.

Any of various structures of invertebrate animals, such as the pincers of spiders or mites, that function similarly to the jaws of vertebrates.

jaw

Origin of jaw

OTHER WORDS FROM jaw

Words nearby jaw

Other definitions for jaw (2 of 2)

Origin of jaw

Words related to jaw

How to use jaw in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jaw

Derived forms of jaw

Word Origin for jaw

Scientific definitions for jaw