alveolar ridge

noun

1
: the bony ridge or raised thickened border of the upper or lower jaw that contains the sockets of the teeth : alveolar process
It is common for many of the teeth to be displaced from the alveolar ridge into the palate.M. A. Kettle et al.
2
: the gum-covered ridge of bone behind the teeth in the upper jaw
Both sounds are fricatives made by creating a partial obstruction between the tongue and the alveolar ridgeCognitive Science

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of alveolar ridge was in 1823

Dictionary Entries Near alveolar ridge

Cite this Entry

“Alveolar ridge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alveolar%20ridge. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!