mandible

noun

man·​di·​ble ˈman-də-bəl 

1

a

: jaw sense 1a

especially : a lower jaw consisting of a single bone or of completely fused bones

b

: the lower jaw with its investing soft parts

c

: either the upper or lower segment of the bill of a bird

2

: any of various invertebrate mouthparts serving to hold or bite food materials

especially : either member of the anterior pair of mouth appendages of an arthropod often forming strong biting jaws

mandibular

man-ˈdi-byə-lər 

adjective

mandibulate

man-ˈdi-byə-lət 

adjective

Examples of mandible in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Because the two halves of the mandible had not yet joined, the creature would have been physically incapable of eating on its own. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026

The skull and a mandible — a jawbone — were the only remains recovered. —Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026

In March, a man’s mandible was found, followed a few days later by the finger bone of a young girl and the ribs of a young adult. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026

The armored one skirts stems, mushrooms, and sleeping crickets before sinking her mandibles into the fallen leaf of a hydrangea. —María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin mandibula, from Latin mandere to chew; probably akin to Greek masasthai to chew

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for mandible

• expandable
• understandable

Kids Definition

mandible

noun

man·​di·​ble ˈman-də-bəl 

1

a(1)

: a lower jaw of a vertebrate consisting of a single bone or of bones that are completely united

(2)

: the lower jaw with its surrounding soft parts

b

: either the upper or lower part of the bill of a bird

2

: either of the first pair of mouthparts of some invertebrates and especially arthropods (as an insect or crustacean) that often form biting organs

Medical Definition

mandible

noun

man·​di·​ble ˈman-də-bəl 

1

a

: jaw sense 1

especially : jaw sense 1b

b

: the lower jaw with its investing soft parts

2

: any of various invertebrate mouthparts serving to hold or bite food materials

especially : either member of the anterior pair of mouth appendages of an arthropod often forming strong biting jaws