# mandible

/ˈmændəbəɫ/ (US) · /mˈændəbəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mandible
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

the lower jaw of a person or animal. It is the part of the face that moves when you open your mouth to speak or eat.

For teachers: the lower jawbone of a vertebrate, including humans. In invertebrates, it refers to the first pair of mouthparts used for biting or chewing.

## Examples

- The dentist checked the alignment of my mandible.
- A fractured mandible can make it difficult to speak or eat solid food until the bone heals.
- The fossil record indicates that the evolution of a more robust mandible allowed early hominins to process tougher plant materials, supporting a shift in dietary habits.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.