ridge

noun \ ˈrij \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of ridge

1 : an elevated body part or structure

2 a : a range of hills or mountains

b : an elongate elevation on an ocean bottom

3 : an elongate crest or a linear series of crests

4 : a raised strip (as of plowed ground)

5 : the line of intersection at the top between the opposite slopes or sides of a roof

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ridged

play \ˈrijd\ adjective

See ridge defined for English-language learners

See ridge defined for kids

Examples of ridge in a Sentence

We hiked along the ridge.
the ridges on the sole of a boot
the ridge of a roof

Recent Examples of ridge from the Web

After several turns in the forest, the trail empties back into the open ridge, a change so sudden, the light is initially assaultive.

— michael j. bailey, BostonGlobe.com, "Rhododendron rhapsody on Roan Mountain," 9 May 2018
The trail continues across the top of the ridge past farm fields to a pair of overlooks.

— peter marteka, courant.com, "A Forest Where All Can Sit On A Throne," 29 Apr. 2018
The Black is a big ballpark, with large ridges and meadows, fairways full of bumps and humps, sizeable bunkers and enormous tiered greens.

— steve dimeglio, USA TODAY, "Streamsong is unlike any golf resort you'd expect in Florida," 12 Apr. 2018
The total difference in pressure between the core of the ridge and the nor’easter approached 60 mb, an astounding value in its own right.

— jeff halverson, Washington Post, "A mighty wind: Behind one of Washington’s worst-ever winter wind storms," 5 Mar. 2018
University of Alaska Museum of the North, Fairbanks, AK Designed to reflect the alpine ridges, rivers, and aurora lights of Alaska, this architectural gem stands out on Fairbanks’s skyline.

— stephanie granada, Sunset, "10 Amazing Art Museums in the West," 22 Jan. 2018
From the top of the ridge, the trail takes an abrupt dive into an old logging plot spotted by new growth.

— andrew del-colle, Popular Mechanics, "Off-Road, High-Adrenaline: Trail Joyriding in Rugged ROVs," 24 Oct. 2012
Nevertheless, the city’s planning commission unanimously endorsed the project size after the architect said the large scale was mitigated by different roof ridges, a mixture of stone and multiple types of brick and other colored materials.

— lynn horsley, kansascity, "Sorrento Place, a massive Metcalf project, passes council. But neighbors are outraged | The Kansas City Star," 17 Apr. 2018
The report notes early wealthy settlers were the ones who had access to surveyor’s maps and knew where those ridges were.

— jennifer larino, NOLA.com, "8 reasons why New Orleans neighborhoods remain segregated," 6 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ridge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ridge

Middle English rigge, from Old English hrycg; akin to Old High German hrukki ridge, back

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

ridge Synonyms

Synonyms

crest;

Related Words

divide;

backbone, ridgepole, spine;

eminence, peak, prominence, promontory, rise;

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

ridge

verb

Definition of ridge

ridged; ridging

transitive verb

: to form into a ridge

intransitive verb

: to extend in ridges

Recent Examples of ridge from the Web

When Mohamed met him, his collarbone ridged out of his skin.

— greg betza, Washington Post, "Syria, a love story," 1 May 2018
High pressure to the north is trying to ridge southward and prevent the heavier snow from crossing the state.

— gary lessor, courant.com, "Here We Go Again: Another Nor'easter Wednesday," 20 Mar. 2018
Heat outdoor grill or ridged grill pan over medium-high heat.

— Woman's Day, "Chicken Satay," 7 July 2014
This pattern results from ridging along the coast during that period.

— katy moeller, idahostatesman, "Boise’s mild winter confuses bears, but it’s great for those who want to ‘ski and tee’," 31 Jan. 2018
Her stories about finding graveyards involve hiking through woods and climbing to ridge tops.

— amy mcrary, The Seattle Times, "Book details Smokies’ cemeteries and their eternal residents," 23 Dec. 2017
The fires then spread quickly, hopping from ridge top to ridge top without bothering to burn everything in between.

— rong-gong lin ii, latimes.com, "'Diablo winds' fuel widespread destruction from fires in California wine country," 9 Oct. 2017
Other symptoms of IBC include pitted or ridged skin, rapid breast growth, breast heaviness or tenderness, or inverted nipples.

— emma baty, Redbook, "This Woman Thought She Had a Sunburn But It Turned Out to Be Stage 4 Breast Cancer," 1 June 2017
Both masterpieces skillfully capturing deep, ridged human emotion.

— Orange County Register, "Canyon High student constructs tracing tables for Eagle Scout project," 27 Jan. 2017

First Known Use of ridge

1523

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

RIDGE Defined for English Language Learners

ridge

noun

Definition of ridge for English Language Learners

: a long area of land that is on top of a mountain or hill
: a raised part or area on the surface of something
: the place where two sloping surfaces meet

RIDGE Defined for Kids

ridge

noun \ ˈrij \

Definition of ridge for Students

1 : a range of hills or mountains or its upper part

2 : a raised strip

The plow created a ridge of soil.

3 : the line made where two sloping surfaces come together

Birds sat perched on the ridge of the roof.

—

ridged

\ˈrijd\ adjective

Medical Dictionary

ridge

noun \ ˈrij \

medical Definition of ridge

: a raised or elevated part and especially a body part: as

a : the projecting or elevated part of the back along the line of the backbone

b : an elevated body part projecting from a surface

Learn More about ridge

See words that rhyme with ridge Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ridge Spanish Central: Translation of ridge Nglish: Translation of ridge for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ridge for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ridge

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ridge

Definition of ridge

ridged

Examples of ridge in a Sentence

Recent Examples of ridge from the Web

Origin and Etymology of ridge

ridge Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Geology Terms

ridge

Definition of ridge

Recent Examples of ridge from the Web

First Known Use of ridge

RIDGE Defined for English Language Learners

ridge

Definition of ridge for English Language Learners

RIDGE Defined for Kids

ridge

Definition of ridge for Students

ridged

Medical Dictionary

ridge

medical Definition of ridge

Learn More about ridge

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