mandibles

noun
UK /ˈmæn.dɪ.bəlz/
US /ˈmæn.də.bəlz/

Mandibles are the hard mouth parts that insects and some animals use for biting and chewing.

The ant used its mandibles to carry a crumb back to the nest.

SYNONYMS

jawsmouthpartspincerscheliceraeclaws

RELATED WORDS

insectbeetleantcrustaceanchewing

OTHER MEANINGS

2. The lower jawbone of a person or animal.

The doctor examined the patient's mandibles after the fall.

3. Either of the two parts of a bird's beak.

The parrot cracked the seed with its strong mandibles.

4. The paired biting mouthparts of crustaceans such as crabs.

The crab's mandibles ground the food into tiny pieces.