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

Thus: Arnold and his commando buddies fight an alien — a big, ugly, awesome one created by the Stan Winston studio with mandibles and long hair and the ability to disappear. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 9 June 2025

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

The ant uses its mandible to grab on to the skin before curling its abdomen to reveal its stinger and inject venom into the body. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2025

The samples included a tooth taken from a mandible, which became the second sample to yield a positive identification. —Ars Technica, 30 Sep. 2024

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