noun

jawbone

Jawbone (noun) means the bone forming the lower jaw; the mandible. Example: “The X-ray showed a hairline fracture in the jawbone.”

noun

The bone forming the lower jaw; the mandible.

"The X-ray showed a hairline fracture in the jawbone."

verb

To pressure or persuade someone through talk rather than force, especially when an official uses public statements to influence behaviour.

"The central bank jawboned markets into calming down without raising rates."

"Regulators jawboned the company into changing its policy."

How to use jawbone

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLiterally the mandible bone; as a verb, to pressure someone using words and implied threats rather than direct action.

When to use it

The verb sense is common in economics and policy journalism.

Word forms

jawboned past tense, jawbones plural, jawbones singular

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The X-ray showed a hairline fracture in the _____.

Etymology

A partial translation of an older Middle English term "chawlbone" — simply "jaw" plus "bone."

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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mandible schmooze jowl shmooze shmoose schmoose lower jaw mandibula submaxilla lower jawbone mandibular bone

Related words

jaw jaws jowl mandible schmoose schmooze shmoose manger

Rhymes for jawbone

one bone done gone none tone lone hone cone zone stone phone

See all rhymes for jawbone →

Frequently asked questions

What does “jawbone” mean?

The word “jawbone” means the bone forming the lower jaw; the mandible. In plain terms, literally the mandible bone; as a verb, to pressure someone using words and implied threats rather than direct action.

How do you use “jawbone” in a sentence?

Here is “jawbone” used in a sentence: “The X-ray showed a hairline fracture in the jawbone.”

What part of speech is “jawbone”?

Depending on how it is used, “jawbone” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “jawbone” come from?

The word “jawbone” comes from Middle English. A partial translation of an older Middle English term "chawlbone" — simply "jaw" plus "bone.".

How many meanings does “jawbone” have?

“Jawbone” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the bone forming the lower jaw; the mandible.

People also searched

jaw jaws jowl mandible schmoose schmooze shmoose manger