mandible

noun

man·​di·​ble ˈman-də-bəl How to pronounce mandible (audio)
1
a
: jaw sense 1a
especially : a lower jaw consisting of a single bone or of completely fused bones
b
: the lower jaw with its investing soft parts
c
: either the upper or lower segment of the bill of a bird
2
: any of various invertebrate mouthparts serving to hold or bite food materials
especially : either member of the anterior pair of mouth appendages of an arthropod often forming strong biting jaws
mandibular adjective
mandibulate adjective

Examples of mandible in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Carpenter bees Black thumb-sized carpenter bees with shiny abdomens and strong mandibles. The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024 Trap-jaw ants use spring actuation to launch their mandibles to capture prey, while grasshoppers use their springy legs to kick away predators. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 Aug. 2023 While the exact bite force of the ancient whale remains speculative, its formidable mandible suggests a potent force, although likely overshadowed by the megalodon. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 Still, all the extra weight and much larger mandibles are probably worth something. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 29 Aug. 2023 The Cook County Sheriff’s Office decided to reopen the Gacy file in 2011 as a cold case, exhuming bone fragments and sending eight sets of mandibles and maxilla to the CHI lab in Fort Worth for DNA processing. David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Jan. 2024 Unfortunately, the fierce mandibles of termite soldiers cause injuries that, if infected, can turn fatal. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 15 Jan. 2024 These pre-meal encounters often lead to dangerous injuries from a termite’s fierce mandibles, which can pierce the ants with rapid blows. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 Jan. 2024 Reinvestigating a ‘Neandertal’ mandible Over a century ago in 1889, a fossil human lower jaw, or mandible, was found at a quarry near the town of Banyoles, in northeastern Spain. Brian Anthony Keeling, The Conversation, 2 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mandible.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin mandibula, from Latin mandere to chew; probably akin to Greek masasthai to chew

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of mandible was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near mandible

Cite this Entry

“Mandible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mandible. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mandible

noun
man·​di·​ble ˈman-də-bəl How to pronounce mandible (audio)
1
a(1)
: a lower jaw of a vertebrate consisting of a single bone or of bones that are completely united
(2)
: the lower jaw with its surrounding soft parts
b
: either the upper or lower part of the bill of a bird
2
: either of the first pair of mouthparts of some invertebrates and especially arthropods (as an insect or crustacean) that often form biting organs

Medical Definition

mandible

noun
man·​di·​ble ˈman-də-bəl How to pronounce mandible (audio)
1
a
: jaw sense 1
especially : jaw sense 1b
b
: the lower jaw with its investing soft parts
2
: any of various invertebrate mouthparts serving to hold or bite food materials
especially : either member of the anterior pair of mouth appendages of an arthropod often forming strong biting jaws
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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