Ridge
/rɪdʒ/
Definitions
3 meaningsA long, narrow elevation of land.
/rɪdʒ/
A long, narrow hilltop, mountain range, or elevated strip of land.
The climbers carefully traversed the narrow ridge.
💡 Simply: Imagine a mountain that looks like a long line across the top. That line is a ridge! It's the high part.
👶 For kids: A ridge is like a hill, but it's long and skinny, like a caterpillar's back on a mountain or house.
More Examples
The house was built along a ridge overlooking the valley.
We hiked along the ridge, enjoying the panoramic views.
How It's Used
"The hikers followed the ridge to the summit."
"The roof has a ridge that runs along the top."
A raised line or strip on a surface.
/rɪdʒ/
A raised strip on a surface, especially one formed by a material being pressed or folded.
The fabric had a series of parallel ridges.
💡 Simply: Have you ever seen lines on your shoes for gripping when you run? Those are ridges too.
👶 For kids: It is a little bump that stick out, like the lines on your tires or on a seed.
More Examples
The tire's tread was designed with deep ridges for better traction.
The leaves of the plant had distinct ridges.
How It's Used
"The seed had a prominent ridge along its edge."
"The tires had ridges to improve grip on the road."
To cause a surface to form ridges.
/rɪdʒ/
To form or arrange something into ridges.
The farmer ridged the soil for planting.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're making hills in the sand with your hand – you're ridging it!
👶 For kids: To ridge is when you make little lines that go up and down on something, like how a farmer digs up the earth.
More Examples
The wind ridged the sand dunes.
The landscaper ridged the soil before seeding the lawn.
How It's Used
"The farmer ridged the soil to plant the potatoes."
"The wind ridged the sand on the beach."
Idioms & expressions
on the ridge of
At a critical or crucial point; on the verge of something.
"The company was on the ridge of collapse before the investment arrived."
From Middle English rigge, related to Old English hrycg ('back, ridge'), from Proto-Germanic *hrugjaz ('back, ridge'), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *krewk- ('to crust, shell').
The word 'ridge' has been used in English since the Middle Ages, often referring to geographical features.
Memory tip
Think of a long back, like the spine of a mountain or the top of a roof.
Word Origin
"back, spine"