Alveolar

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /æl.ˈvi.É™.lÉš/, /æl.vi.ˈoÊŠ.lÉš/
• RP IPA: /æl.ˈvɪə.lÉ™/, /æl.viː.ˈəʊ.lÉ™/

Origin

alveolus + -ar

Full definition of alveolar

Adjective

1. Of or relating to an alveolus.
2. (anatomy) Relating to the jaw ridge containing the tooth sockets.
3. (anatomy) Relating to the alveoli (small air sacs) of the lungs.
4. (phonetics) Formed with the tongue touching or approaching the inner ridge of the gums of the upper front teeth.

Derived terms

• alveolar bone
• alveolar ridge

Noun

1. (linguistics) An alveolar consonant

Synonyms

• (linguistics) gingival obsolete