jawbone

1 of 2

noun

jaw·​bone ˈjȯ-ˌbōn How to pronounce jawbone (audio)
: jaw sense 1a
especially : mandible

jawbone

2 of 2

verb

jawboned; jawboning; jawbones

transitive verb

: to speak forcefully and persuasively to
jawboned them into accepting the deal

intransitive verb

: to talk especially forcefully and persuasively
jawboning about the tax cuts

Examples of jawbone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Workers and queens also have very similar appearances, with long, slender bodies that are dark brown or black, and legs and mandibles (jawbones) that are a lighter brown or orange color, the extension says. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2025 In addition to the small bones, the millennial couple from the U.K. also found a pair of stockings and what looks to be a jawbone. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Verb
The idea is that the shadow chair could jawbone markets into easing financial conditions, such as lowering bond yields, before taking office and undermine Powell’s messaging in his final months. Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 July 2025 These comments indicate the administration is focused not on jawboning the Fed to lower its short-term rate target, but on longer-term borrowing costs set in the global bond market. Neil Irwin, Axios, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jawbone

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1965, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jawbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jawbone. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

jawbone

noun
jaw·​bone
ˈjȯ-ˈbōn,
-ˌbōn
: one of the bones of an animal's jaw
especially : mandible sense 1a

Medical Definition

jawbone

noun
: jaw sense 1
especially : mandible

More from Merriam-Webster on jawbone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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