ˈjau̇(-ə)l 
sometimes
ˈjōl
: usually slack flesh (such as a dewlap, wattle, or the pendulous part of a double chin) associated with the cheeks, lower jaw, or throat
1
a
b
: the cheek meat of a hog
: a cut of fish consisting of the head and usually adjacent parts
Examples of jowl in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
In real terms, that means the industry parts, namely the studios, edit suites and other business areas, would sit cheek-by-jowl with the education facilities and about 1,000 new homes.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
That’s an argument, by the way, for close plant spacing since the cheek-by-jowl intimacy of one plant with another shades roots and is conducive to lush growth.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2025
Red tegu – Grows up to 4½ feet long; males have large jowls.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jowl
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
Normal setbacks have been waived as well, so these homes are cheek-and-jowl, and shoved up to our property line.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
In real terms, that means the industry parts, namely the studios, edit suites and other business areas, would sit cheek-by-jowl with the education facilities and about 1,000 new homes.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
That’s an argument, by the way, for close plant spacing since the cheek-by-jowl intimacy of one plant with another shades roots and is conducive to lush growth.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2025
Red tegu – Grows up to 4½ feet long; males have large jowls.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jowl
Cite this Entry
“Jowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jowl. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
jowl
1 of 2 noun1
: jaw entry 1 sense 1
especially
: the lower jaw
2
jowl
2 of 2 noun
: loose flesh associated with the cheeks, lower jaw, or throat
jowly
adjective
ˈjau̇-lē
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share