jowl

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈjau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce jowl (audio)
sometimes
ˈjōl How to pronounce jowl (audio)
: usually slack flesh (such as a dewlap, wattle, or the pendulous part of a double chin) associated with the cheeks, lower jaw, or throat

jowl

2 of 3

noun (2)

1
a
: cheek sense 1
b
: the cheek meat of a hog
2
a
: jaw
especially : mandible
b
: one of the lateral halves of the mandible

jowl

3 of 3

noun (3)

: a cut of fish consisting of the head and usually adjacent parts

Examples of jowl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Neece is calmly and casually kind, like a faithful bloodhound without jowls. — Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 In May 2026, Tyman also underwent a facelift where her jowls were moved and fat from her stomach was transferred to her face to fill in a gap. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026 This is good old Mother Earth, and the Inuit people have thrived here for a few thousand years, living cheek to jowl with muskox, polar bears, caribou, tundra grizzlies, red fox, Arctic fox and hordes of ducks and geese. — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026 The real estate at Sojourner Place at Park was once a set of cheek-by-jowl city businesses chiefly occupied by small merchants, including jewelers and opticians. — Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for jowl

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

alteration of Middle English cholle, probably from Old English ceole throat — more at glutton

Noun (2)

alteration of Middle English chavel, from Old English ceafl; akin to Middle High German kivel jaw, Avestan zafar- mouth

Noun (3)

alteration of Middle English choll

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1591, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jowl was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing jowl

Rhymes for jowl

See All Rhymes for jowl

Browse Nearby Words

Jowett
jowl
jowled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jowl. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

jowl

1 of 2 noun
ˈjau̇(ə)l How to pronounce jowl (audio)
1
: jaw entry 1 sense 1
especially : the lower jaw
2
: cheek sense 1

jowl

2 of 2 noun
: loose flesh associated with the cheeks, lower jaw, or throat
jowly
ˈjau̇-lē
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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