1
a
: either of two complex cartilaginous or bony structures in most vertebrates that border the mouth, support the soft parts enclosing it, usually bear teeth on their oral margin, and are an upper that is more or less firmly fused with the skull and a lower that is hinged, movable, and articulated with the temporal bone of either side compare mandible, maxilla
b
: the parts constituting the walls of the mouth and serving to open and close it
—usually used in plural
c
: any of various organs of invertebrates that perform the function of the vertebrate jaws
2
: something resembling the jaw of an animal: such as
a
: either of two or more opposable parts that open and close for holding or crushing something between them
b
: one of the sides of a narrow pass or channel
3
a
: a space lying between or as if between open jaws
escaped from out of the jaws of the whale
b
: a position or situation in which one is threatened
rode into the jaws of danger
4
: a friendly chat
jawed; jawing; jaws
: to talk especially abusively, indignantly, or long-windedly
jawing with the referee
: to talk to in a scolding or boring manner
Synonyms
Examples of jaw in a Sentence
Noun
He broke his upper jaw.
the jaws of a tiger
the jaws of a vise
Verb
The coach was jawing with the referee.
She was on the phone jawing with her sister all night.
Recent Examples on the Web
Maria Sokolina, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Morphological characteristics of the fish were measured – the size of their eyes; aspects of their gill rakers, cartilaginous appendages fish use to capture tiny invertebrates; fin lengths, jaw shapes, and more.
—Keith Matheny, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 31 July 2024
The exchange came six days after Hurley spent much of the final minute of his team’s 74-60 victory at Providence jawing with a Friars fan in the second row.
—Mike Fitzpatrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for jaw 
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Noun
During his visits, tight jaw muscles, clenching and enamel erosion consistently show up — key indicators of acid reflux, a condition frequently linked to obstructive sleep apnea.
—Maria Sokolina, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Morphological characteristics of the fish were measured – the size of their eyes; aspects of their gill rakers, cartilaginous appendages fish use to capture tiny invertebrates; fin lengths, jaw shapes, and more.
—Keith Matheny, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
Patrick Queen started jawing and found himself in the middle of the skirmish.
—Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 31 July 2024
The exchange came six days after Hurley spent much of the final minute of his team’s 74-60 victory at Providence jawing with a Friars fan in the second row.
—Mike Fitzpatrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for jaw
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Dictionary Entries Near jaw
Cite this Entry
“Jaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jaw. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
jaw
1 of 2 noun1
a
: either of two structures of bone or cartilage of vertebrate animals that support the soft parts enclosing the mouth and usually bear teeth
b
: the parts making up the walls of the mouth and serving to open and close it
—usually used in plural
c
: any of various organs of invertebrate animals that serve the same purpose as the jaws of vertebrate animals
2
: something resembling the jaw of an animal in form or action
especially
: one of a set of opposing parts that open and close for holding or crushing something between them
jawed
adjective
ˈjȯd
jaw
2 of 2 verb1
: to talk for a long time
Medical Definition
jaw
noun1
: either of two complex cartilaginous or bony structures in most vertebrates that border the mouth, support the soft parts enclosing it, and usually bear teeth on their oral margin:
a
: an upper structure more or less firmly fused with the skull
called also upper jaw, maxilla
b
: a lower structure that consists of a single bone or of completely fused bones and that is hinged, movable, and articulated by a pair of condyles with the temporal bone of either side
called also inferior maxillary bone, lower jaw, mandible
2
: the parts constituting the walls of the mouth and serving to open and close it
—usually used in plural
3
: any of various organs of invertebrates that perform the function of the vertebrate jaws
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