jaw

¹ American  

[jaw] / dʒɔ /

noun

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

2. the part of the face covering these bones, the mouth, or the mouth parts collectively.

   My jaw is swollen.

3. jaws, anything resembling a pair of jaws or evoking the concept of grasping and holding.

   the jaws of a gorge; the jaws of death.

4. Machinery.

   1. one of two or more parts, as of a machine, that grasp or hold something.

      the jaws of a vise.

   2. any of two or more protruding parts for attaching to or meshing with similar parts.

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

6. Slang.

   1. idle talk; chatter.

   2. impertinent talk.

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verb (used without object)

1. Slang.

   1. to talk; chat; gossip.

   2. to scold or use abusive language.

verb (used with object)

1. Slang. to scold.

jaw ² American  

[jaw] / dʒɔ /

noun

1. a swelling wave of water; billow.

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verb (used without object)

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

verb (used with object)

1. to pour or splash (liquid).

jaw British  

/ dʒɔː /

noun

1. 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)

2. the corresponding part of an invertebrate, esp an insect

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

4. slang

   1. impudent talk; cheek

   2. idle conversation; chat

   3. moralizing talk; a lecture

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verb

1. slang (intr)

   1. to talk idly; chat; gossip

   2. to lecture

jaw Scientific  

/ jô /

1. 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.

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

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Other Word Forms

• jawless
  adjective
• jawlike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of jaw¹

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

Origin of jaw²

First recorded in 1505–15; perhaps akin to jaup

Explanation

Your jaw is the bottom, hinged part of your skull that holds your teeth. When you have a cavity, it can make your whole jaw hurt. In humans, our jaw is the bony part of the head that contains our mouth and teeth. All animals with spines have jaws. Besides this anatomical meaning, you can use jaw as a verb to mean "chat." You might love to get together with your friends and jaw about unimportant things. You can also say "My jaw dropped" to mean "I was shocked or amazed." Jaw comes from the Old French joue, which means "cheek or jaw."

Example Sentences

Over the course of seven years and 700 sorties, 29 planes had been lost in a fruitless attempt to take out a single bridge across the Song Ma river, dubbed the Dragon’s Jaw.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

Gemmill: The show could have been shot in Moose Jaw.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2025

Legendary hedge fund manager Jaw Newman discusses his 16-year fight to get Argentina to pay up.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2024

The KMT's vice-presidential nominee Jaw Shaw-kong is a well-known political commentator and one-time leader of the right-wing New Party.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2024

Jaw clenched, I turn the stupid hamper around so the hole is in the back and carefully close the closet door.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Related Words

• bone
• mouth