premolar

adjective

pre·​mo·​lar (ˌ)prē-ˈmō-lər How to pronounce premolar (audio)
: situated in front of or preceding the molar teeth
especially : being or relating to those teeth of a mammal in front of the true molars and behind the canines when the latter are present
premolar noun

Examples of premolar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Studies of fossil hominins suggest that their sturdy premolar teeth may have been used either to open seeds or chew starchy underground tubers and bulbs. Marlene Zuk, Discover Magazine, 17 Dec. 2013 Both jaws had a third premolar, or cheek tooth, that’s only present in 2 to 6 percent of all Smilodon specimens. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 June 2021

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

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of premolar was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near premolar

Cite this Entry

“Premolar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premolar. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

premolar

1 of 2 adjective
pre·​mo·​lar
(ˈ)prē-ˈmō-lər
: located in front of the molar teeth
also : being or relating to the premolars

premolar

2 of 2 noun
: any of the double-pointed grinding teeth which are located between the canines and the true molars and of which there are two on each side of each jaw

Medical Definition

premolar

1 of 2 adjective
pre·​mo·​lar -ˈmō-lər How to pronounce premolar (audio)
: situated in front of or preceding the molar teeth
especially : being or relating to those teeth of a mammal in front of the true molars and behind the canines when the latter are present

premolar

2 of 2 noun
1
: a premolar tooth that in humans is one of two in each side of each jaw

called also bicuspid

2
: a milk tooth that occupies the position later taken by a premolar tooth of the permanent dentition

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