mandible

noun
UK: /ˈmændɪbl/
US: /ˈmændɪbl/

  1. The lower jaw of a vertebrate.

    1. The dog opened his mandible to eat the treat.
    2. The scientist examined the fossil's mandible to determine its age and species.

  2. In insects and other arthropods, either of a pair of mouthparts used for biting or crushing food.

    1. The ant uses its mandible to carry food back to the nest.
    2. The beetle's strong mandible allows it to chew through tough plant material efficiently.

Synonyms

jaw
mandible verb

  1. To chew or grind with the mandible.

    1. The cow mandible its cud contentedly in the field.
    2. The creature used its powerful mandible to mandible through the tough hide of its prey.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "mandible" in English means: The lower jaw of a vertebrate., In insects and other arthropods, either of a pair of mouthparts used for biting or crushing food..

The phonetic transcription of "mandible" is /ˈmændɪbl/ in British English and /ˈmændɪbl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "mandible": jaw.

Example usage of "mandible": "The dog opened his mandible to eat the treat.". More examples on the page.