jaw

SayJAW/d͡ʒɔ/UK/d͡ʒɔː/

Pluraljaws

19 meanings of jaw

1
nouncountable
One of the two bones that hold the teeth and shape the mouth.
Like a hinge that lets the mouth open and close.
The dog's jaw was strong enough to crack the bone in seconds.
She broke her jaw when she fell off the ladder.
Similarmandible, jawbone
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2
nouncountable
The lower part of the face, below the mouth.
He rubbed his jaw while thinking about the question.
The punch landed square on his jaw and knocked him down.
Similarchin
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3
nouncountable
One of two parts that move together to hold or crush something between them.
Like two hands pressing together to hold something tight.
The lower jaw of the clamp holds the board firmly in place.
The two jaws squeezed the pipe until it began to bend.
4
nounfigurativelycountableplural
A wide opening shaped like an animal's open mouth, where something enters.
Like the open mouth of a giant animal swallowing whatever comes near.
The narrow jaw of the cave swallowed the little stream.
They steered the boat through the rocky jaws of the inlet.
Similarmaw, mouth, opening, entrance
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5
nouncountable
A notched or forked part shaped to hold an object in place.
Like the fork of a tree branch cradling something between its arms.
The jaw of the bracket fits neatly around the pole.
Slide the rope into the forked jaw so it cannot slip out.
Similarclamp, grip, fork
6
nouncountable
A notch or gap cut into something.
Like a slot cut to fit a key.
The carpenter cut a jaw into the beam for the joint to sit in.
Water flowed steadily through the jaw in the rock wall.
Similarnotch, slot, recess, groove
7
verbcolloquialintransitive
To talk in a friendly, relaxed way, often for a long time.
Like chatting away with a friend just for fun.
They jaw for hours on the porch every summer evening.
Stop jawing and get back to work.
Similarchat, talk, chatter, gab, natter
8
verbtransitive
To scold someone harshly with angry words.
Like telling someone off over and over.
Don't jaw the kids over a single broken plate.
The sergeant jawed the recruits until they stood up straight.
Similarscold, berate, lambaste, harangue, upbraid
Oppositepraise, commend
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9
verbintransitive
To scold or shout in a loud, noisy way.
Like a person who keeps shouting and complaining.
The neighbors jaw all night about the broken fence.
She jawed at the top of her voice until everyone went quiet.
Similarcomplain, grumble, gripe, carp, clamor
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10
nouncountable
On a snooker table, the curved edge of the cushion right next to a pocket.
Like the curved rim of a funnel where a ball can get stuck.
The ball hit the jaw and stayed out of the pocket.
His shot caught the jaw and rolled back onto the table.
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11
verbtransitive or intransitive
Of a ball, to get stuck in the narrow opening of a pocket instead of dropping in.
Like a coin that sticks in a slot instead of dropping through.
The ball can jaw in the pocket if you hit it too softly.
A weak shot will jaw the ball right on the edge.
Similarstick, wedge, rattle
Oppositepot, sink
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12
noundateduncountable
Rude, cheeky, or pointless talk that nobody wants to hear.
Like noise that fills the air but means nothing to anyone.
Stop all that jaw and finish your work.
Give me the boy, now, and no more of your jaw. I am going to take the boy home with me.
1869, Henry Kingsley, Silcote of SilcotesHere, jaw means rude or pointless talk, so stop your cheeky talking.
Similarlip, cheek, chatter, backchat, prattle
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13
nouncountable
The rounded inner end of a sail's pole that wraps around the mast so it can swing.
Like the curved end of a hinge that lets a door swing.
The jaw of the boom slid smoothly around the mast.
He greased the jaw so the gaff would swing freely.
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14
nounslangcountable
A frame that holds an axle in place and keeps it from moving sideways.
Like a bracket that holds something firmly in place.
The jaw kept the axle from slipping out of place.
Mechanics replaced a worn jaw under the freight car.
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15
noundialectalNorthern EnglandScotlandcountable
A large wave or wall of water rolling in from the sea.
Like a moving hill of water rising out of the sea.
A huge jaw rose up and crashed over the deck.
The little boat rode each jaw as it rolled toward shore.
Similarwave, billow, breaker, roller
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16
noundialectalNorthern EnglandScotlandcountable
A sudden splash or large amount of water or other liquid.
Like a big splash from a bucket thrown all at once.
A jaw of cold water hit him in the face.
She threw a jaw of water over the steps.
Similarsplash, dash, spurt, gush, surge
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17
verbdialectalScotlandtransitive
To pour or throw out a liquid in a quick rush.
Like tipping a bucket to dump out the water.
Jaw the dirty water out the door.
He jawed the slops into the gutter.
Similarpour, throw, dump, empty, toss
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18
verbdialectalScotlandtransitive
To splash or wash against something with force.
Like water hitting a wall and spraying back.
The waves jawed the side of the boat all night.
Water can jaw the rocks hard during a storm.
Similarlash, pound, batter, buffet, splash
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19
adjective
Used only in a few set terms, mostly names for a small mouth-played musical instrument and its player.
She plucked a lively tune on her jaw harp.
The traveling jaw harpist drew a small crowd in the square.
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Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–14

From Middle English "jawe." Its exact origin is not known. It may come from Old French "joe" meaning "cheek; jaw," or from an Old English word.

Meanings 15–18

Uncertain origin. Found in Scots since 1513 as both a verb and a noun.