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

The strongest wind gusts were reported over coastal ridges in excess of 75 mph. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

Wind gusts will be particularly strong along windward ridges and exposed coastal headlands. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Verb

Warm weather in the West Meanwhile, strong ridging developing over the Intermountain West will allow temperatures to rise to 10-15 degrees above average in that area. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025

Their bark is ridged and furrowed, giving insects room to proliferate. —Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 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