jawbone

jawbone — noun

IPA/ˈdʒɔːbəʊn/
KK[dʒˈɔbˌon]IPA/ˈdʒɔːbəʊn/
  • jawbonesingular
  • jawbonesplural

1. the hard bone below the mouth that holds the lower teeth and gives shape to the

1.nounB2
Definition

the hard bone below the mouth that holds the lower teeth and gives shape to the bottom of the face

Example

Anna held an ice pack against her jawbone after the dentist pulled a tooth.

dental injury context

The boxer kept both gloves high to protect his jawbone in round three.

protect the jawbone in sport

Common collocations
  • broken jawbone
  • protect the jawbone
  • jawbone fracture
  • left jawbone
Synonyms
  • jaw

    broader everyday word that can mean the whole mouth area, not only the bone

  • lower jaw

    clear everyday phrase for the bottom jaw part

  • mandible

    technical anatomical term used in medicine and dentistry

Grammar Patterns

the jawbone

a broken jawbone

Usage Note

In everyday conversation, people usually say jaw unless the bone itself matters. In medical or dental writing, mandible is a more technical term for the same part.

Common Mistakes

The dentist checked my jaw after the scan showed a crack.
The dentist checked my jawbone after the scan showed a crack.
use jawbone when the actual bone, rather than the whole jaw area, is the focus.

jawbone — verb

IPA/ˈdʒɔː.bəʊn/
KK[dʒˈɔbˌon]IPA/ˈdʒɑː.boʊn/

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

For verb/1, jawbone suggests repeated talk used as pressure, often by a coach, manager, minister, or union leader. Persuade is broader and more neutral, and it does not by itself suggest public or sustained pressure. Pressure can include threats or other kinds of force, while jawbone stays in the realm of talking. Cajole sounds gentler and more personal, often with friendly persistence. Lobby is more public and political, especially when someone is trying to influence officials, banks, or policy choices.

persuade ↗pressure ↗cajole ↗lobby ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Verbs

Adverbs

Phrases

  • break a jawbone
  • protect your jawbone
  • jawbone somebody into action
  • jawbone the banks to lend

Adjectives

Prepositions

Etymology

English

Jawbone began as a plain English compound of jaw and bone for the lower bone of the face. The later verb grew from the image of working the jaw again and again while talking, so jawbone came to mean pressing someone by a stream of talk rather than by formal authority.