ridge

1 of 2

noun

ˈrij How to pronounce ridge (audio)
Synonyms of ridgenext
1
: an elevated body part or structure
2
a
: a range of hills or mountains
b
: an elongated elevation on an ocean bottom
3
: an elongated crest or a linear series of crests
4
: a raised strip (as of plowed ground)
5
: the line of intersection at the top between the opposite slopes or sides of a roof
ridged
ˈrijd How to pronounce ridge (audio)
adjective

ridge

2 of 2

verb

ridged; ridging

transitive verb

: to form into a ridge

intransitive verb

: to extend in ridges

Synonyms of ridge

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of ridge in a Sentence

Noun We hiked along the ridge. the ridges on the sole of a boot the ridge of a roof
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
In North Georgia’s mountains, autumn already is transforming ridges, forests and streambanks into dazzling palettes of reds, yellows, maroons and deep oranges — all part of nature’s annual leaf color spectacle. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 17 Oct. 2026 The study also found that the glacier could detach from a stabilizing underwater ridge as early as 2038 in some simulations. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
Lay’s Wavy Milk Chocolate features the brand’s signature ridged potato chips coated in milk chocolate, while Lay’s Wavy Dubai-Style Dark Chocolate combines dark chocolate and pistachios with the salty crunch of potato chips. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 White lamps look inspired by Grecian amphorae; wardrobes are ridged like classical columns. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ridge

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English rigge, from Old English hrycg; akin to Old High German hrukki ridge, back

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of ridge was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing ridge

Rhymes for ridge

See All Rhymes for ridge

Browse Nearby Words

ride up
ridge
ridgeband
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ridge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ridge. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ridge

1 of 2 noun
ˈrij How to pronounce ridge (audio)
: a raised or elevated part or area: as
a
: a range of hills or mountains
b
: the line made where two sloping surfaces come together
the ridge of a roof
ridged
ˈrijd How to pronounce ridge (audio)
adjective

ridge

2 of 2 verb
ridged; ridging
: to form into or extend in ridges

Medical Definition

ridge

noun
ˈrij How to pronounce ridge (audio)
: a raised or elevated part and especially a body part: as
a
: the projecting or elevated part of the back along the line of the backbone
b
: an elevated body part projecting from a surface

More from Merriam-Webster on ridge

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ridge

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