ridge

1 of 2

noun

ˈrij 

1

: an elevated body part or structure

2

a

: a range of hills or mountains

b

: an elongated elevation on an ocean bottom

3

: an elongated 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

ridged

ˈrijd 

adjective

ridge

2 of 2

verb

ridged; ridging

transitive verb

: to form into a ridge

intransitive verb

: to extend in ridges

Synonyms of ridge

Noun

• crest

Examples of ridge in a Sentence

Noun

We hiked along the ridge.

the ridges on the sole of a boot

the ridge of a roof

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Forecast highs climb from the lower 80s Wednesday to the mid-80s Thursday through Sunday as a strong ridge of high pressure builds across the West. —Joe Ruch, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026

American Samoa offers remote South Pacific coral reefs and volcanic ridges, while Dry Tortugas, accessible only by boat or seaplane, features vibrant marine life and a massive 19th-century coastal fortress, around 70 miles off the coast of Key West. —Owen Clarke, Outside, 13 Mar. 2026

Verb

The faux leather has a sleek, polished finish, and the round toe and ridged sole add a little edge — while keeping you steady on slick sidewalks. —Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025

Richemont said the new Cartier Love Unlimited collection, which features ridged bracelets and rings with flexible bands, was a bestseller, as were the new Flowerlace designs from Van Cleef & Arpels. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing ridge

• alveolar ridge
• brow ridge
• mid-ocean ridge

Rhymes for ridge

• bridge
• fridge
• midge
• abridge
• drawbridge
• footbridge
• oxbridge

Kids Definition

ridge

1 of 2 noun

ˈrij 

: a raised or elevated part or area: as

a

: a range of hills or mountains

b

: the line made where two sloping surfaces come together

the ridge of a roof

ridged

ˈrijd 

adjective

ridge

2 of 2 verb

ridged; ridging

: to form into or extend in ridges

Medical Definition

ridge

noun

ˈrij 

: 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