ridge

1 of 2

noun

ˈrij 

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

ridged

ˈrijd 

adjective

ridge

2 of 2

verb

ridged; ridging

transitive verb

: to form into a ridge

intransitive verb

: to extend in ridges

Synonyms

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

On a mountain ridge in eastern India, surrounded by tropical evergreen forests, an acoustic lure echoed through the trees — an attempt by researchers to entice whatever might be living there. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025

Typically, a ridge of high pressure settles over the Four Corners region during the monsoon, the ideal pattern to pull moisture into Arizona. —Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025

Verb

For example, while the friction ridges on fingers and palms are unique to each individual, the skin on the forearm does not possess the same detailed, permanent, and individualized ridge patterns. —Kevin Williams, CNBC, 13 Sep. 2025

Areas brace for 'monsoonal' floods: What to know Heat wave continues assault on Pacific Northwest A warm core ridging across the Northwest will reinforce a heat wave across the Northwest through Aug. 26 before easing Aug. 27. —John Bacon, USA Today, 26 Aug. 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

1523, 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