jaw

1 of 2

noun

ˈjȯ 

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

jawless

ˈjȯ-ləs 

adjective

jawless vertebrates

jaw

2 of 2

verb

jawed; jawing; jaws

intransitive verb

: to talk especially abusively, indignantly, or long-windedly

jawing with the referee

transitive verb

: to talk to in a scolding or boring manner

Synonyms

Noun

• backchat
• cackle
• causerie
• chat
• chatter
• chin music
• chin-wag [slang]
• chitchat
• confab
• confabulation
• gab
• gabfest
• gossip
• jangle
• natter [chiefly British]
• palaver
• patter
• rap
• schmooze
• small talk
• table talk
• talk
• tête-à-tête

Verb

• baste
• bawl out
• berate
• call down
• castigate
• chastise
• chew out
• dress down
• flay
• hammer
• keelhaul
• lambaste
• lambast
• lecture
• rag
• rail (at or against)
• rant (at)
• rate
• ream (out)
• rebuke
• reprimand
• reproach
• scold
• score
• tongue-lash
• upbraid

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

Noun

This ability is made possible by their special jaw structure. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2024

Unique to this species is a white band of denticles across its upper jaw, which researchers believe could reflect bioluminescent light from deep-sea plankton, potentially attracting prey in the dark waters where these sharks often roam. —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

The two camps can jaw about it for a while because Garcia’s suspension doesn’t end until April 20. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024

Jurickson Profar, the Padres' left fielder, made a sensational catch to rob Mookie Betts of a homer, then jawed with the patrons in that section for most of the night. —Jay Paris, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1748, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing jaw

• glass jaw
• jaw-dropping
• jaw drops
• lantern jaw
• lumpy jaw

Kids Definition

jaw

1 of 2 noun

ˈjȯ 

1

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

ˈjȯd

adjective

jaw

2 of 2 verb

1

: to talk for a long time

2

: scold entry 2 sense 1

Medical Definition

jaw

noun

ˈjȯ 

1

: 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