jawbone

American  

[jaw-bohn] / ˈdʒɔˌboʊn /

noun

1. a bone of either jaw; a maxilla or mandible.

2. the bone of the lower jaw; mandible.

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verb (used with or without object)

jawboned, jawboning

1. Informal. to attempt to influence or pressure by persuasion rather than by the exertion of force or one's authority, as in urging voluntary compliance with economic guidelines.

   The president jawboned the steel industry into postponing price increases.

adjective

1. Informal. obtained by or resorting to such a practice.

   jawbone controls.

jawbone British  

/ ˈdʒɔːˌbəʊn /

noun

1. a nontechnical name for mandible maxilla

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verb

1. to try to persuade or bring pressure to bear (on) by virtue of one's high office or position, esp in urging compliance with official policy

Other Word Forms

• jawboning noun

Etymology

Origin of jawbone

First recorded in 1480–90; jaw ¹ + bone

Example Sentences

The tooth, from a cow's jawbone found beside the ancient monument's south entrance in 1924, was analysed by scientists from the British Geological Society, Cardiff University and University College London.

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2025

The jawbone dates back to the monument's very beginning in 2995 to 2900 BC and was placed in a ritually significant place.

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2025

Forensic genealogists solve a 21-year-old case, linking a jawbone to a U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2024

A jawbone found in a child’s rock collection in Arizona more than two decades ago belonged to a Marine who died in California in 1951 and was buried in Missouri, the authorities said on Friday.

From New York Times • Apr. 21, 2024

Don’t tell the dangwallet or she’ll jawbone about the cost of the flowers.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• admonish
• berate
• castigate
• censure
• chide
• go after
• oppose
• reprimand
• reproach
• scold
• upbraid