jowl

1 of 3

noun (1)

: usually slack flesh (such as a dewlap, wattle, or the pendulous part of a double chin) associated with the cheeks, lower jaw, or throat

jowl

2 of 3

noun (2)

1
b
: the cheek meat of a hog
2
a
: jaw
especially : mandible
b
: one of the lateral halves of the mandible

jowl

3 of 3

noun (3)

: a cut of fish consisting of the head and usually adjacent parts

Examples of jowl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Some goals, like lifting saggy jowls (the holy grail!), simply cannot be achieved with filler—and blindly pursuing them is futile at best. Jolene Edgar, Allure, 24 Sep. 2024 Decorated with an assemblage of train signage, colorful lights and faux storefronts, Hibiki BBQ offers an eyeful as guests grill Japanese, Australian and American Wagyu, pork jowl, scallops, beef tongue, vegetables, squid and more. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2024 Joaquín Guzmán Lopez appeared heavyset, with thick stubble on his jowls. Keegan Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2024 Not out of exuberant joy, but just to hide my emerging jowls. Denise Snodell, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for jowl 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jowl.' 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

Noun (1)

alteration of Middle English cholle, probably from Old English ceole throat — more at glutton

Noun (2)

alteration of Middle English chavel, from Old English ceafl; akin to Middle High German kivel jaw, Avestan zafar- mouth

Noun (3)

alteration of Middle English choll

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1591, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near jowl

Cite this Entry

“Jowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jowl. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

jowl

1 of 2 noun
1
: 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
ˈjau̇-lē
adjective

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