ridge

1 of 2

noun

ˈrij 

1

: an elevated body part or structure

2

a

: a range of hills or mountains

b

: an elongate elevation on an ocean bottom

3

: an elongate crest or a linear series of crests

4

: a raised strip (as of plowed ground)

5

: the line of intersection at the top between the opposite slopes or sides of a roof

ridged

ˈrijd 

adjective

ridge

2 of 2

verb

ridged; ridging

transitive verb

: to form into a ridge

intransitive verb

: to extend in ridges

Synonyms

Noun

• crest

Examples of ridge in a Sentence

Noun

We hiked along the ridge.

the ridges on the sole of a boot

the ridge of a roof

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This preserve straddles Asher Creek and includes deep, moist ravines and narrow ridge tops. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Apr. 2024

Two large, rectangular white-sand mounds along the central path are periodically raked by monks into new designs; last fall, a maple leaf was outlined on one and a ginkgo leaf on the other against backgrounds of ridges. —Paula Deitz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English rigge, from Old English hrycg; akin to Old High German hrukki ridge, back

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1523, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing ridge

• alveolar ridge
• brow ridge
• mid-ocean ridge

Kids Definition

ridge

1 of 2 noun

ˈrij 

: a raised or elevated part or area: as

a

: a range of hills or mountains

b

: the line made where two sloping surfaces come together

the ridge of a roof

ridged

ˈrijd 

adjective

ridge

2 of 2 verb

ridged; ridging

: to form into or extend in ridges

Medical Definition

ridge

noun

ˈrij 

: a raised or elevated part and especially a body part: as

a

: the projecting or elevated part of the back along the line of the backbone

b

: an elevated body part projecting from a surface