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premolar
adjective
pre·mo·lar
(ˌ)prē-ˈmō-lər
: situated in front of or preceding the molar teeth
especially
: being or relating to those teeth of a mammal in front of the true molars and behind the canines when the latter are present
premolar
noun
Examples of premolar in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Studies of fossil hominins suggest that their sturdy premolar teeth may have been used either to open seeds or chew starchy underground tubers and bulbs.
—Marlene Zuk, Discover Magazine, 17 Dec. 2013
Both jaws had a third premolar, or cheek tooth, that’s only present in 2 to 6 percent of all Smilodon specimens.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 June 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'premolar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1851, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near premolar
Cite this Entry
“Premolar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premolar. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
premolar
1 of 2 adjective
pre·mo·lar
(ˈ)prē-ˈmō-lər
: located in front of the molar teeth
also
: being or relating to the premolars
premolar
2 of 2 noun
: any of the double-pointed grinding teeth which are located between the canines and the true molars and of which there are two on each side of each jaw
Medical Definition
premolar
1 of 2 adjective
pre·mo·lar
-ˈmō-lər
: situated in front of or preceding the molar teeth
especially
: being or relating to those teeth of a mammal in front of the true molars and behind the canines when the latter are present
premolar
2 of 2 noun1
: a premolar tooth that in humans is one of two in each side of each jaw
called also bicuspid
2
: a milk tooth that occupies the position later taken by a premolar tooth of the permanent dentition
More from Merriam-Webster on premolar
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about premolar
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