premolar

[ pree-moh-ler ]

adjective

1. situated in front of the molar teeth.
2. pertaining to a milk tooth that will later be supplanted by a permanent molar.

noun

1. a premolar tooth.
2. Also called bicuspid. (in humans) any of eight teeth located in pairs on each side of the upper and lower jaws between the cuspids and molar teeth.

premolar

/ priːˈməʊlə /

adjective

1. situated before a molar tooth

noun

1. any one of eight bicuspid teeth in the human adult, two situated on each side of both jaws between the first molar and the canine

premolar

/ prē-mō′lər /

1. Any of eight bicuspid teeth in mammals, arranged in pairs on both sides of the upper and lower jaws between the canines and molars. Premolars are used to tear and grind food.

Word History and Origins

Origin of premolar¹

First recorded in 1835–45; pre- + molar ¹

Example Sentences

One species has the biggest molars, while the other has the largest premolars.

From Science Daily

The team used CT scans and other methods to analyze the shapes and sizes of jaws, premolars and molars in more than 100 noctilionoid species.

From Science Daily

Until recently, the only reliable way to determine the age of a polar bear has been to extract a premolar and inspect its growth rings.

From New York Times

Mr. Biden began experiencing dental pain in his lower right premolar on Sunday, according to a letter from White House physician Kevin O’Connor.

From Washington Times

One such group—the multituberculates—flourished in the Cretaceous underworld, using their saw-blade premolars and gnawing incisors to devour a new type of food: fruits and flowers.

From Scientific American