wisdom tooth

noun

: the third molar that is the last tooth to erupt on each side of the upper and lower jaws in humans

Examples of wisdom tooth in a Sentence

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.
Most wisdom teeth come out in the late teens or early twenties, meaning the cells inside tend to be younger and in better condition than tissue collected later in adulthood. — Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026 Two findings from 2025 and 2026 are reframing wisdom teeth as a potential longevity and regenerative medicine resource rather than medical waste. — Allison Palmer july 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026 But in early 2026, Stubbs started experiencing pain in her jaw that doctors repeatedly told her was due to wisdom teeth. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026 If wisdom teeth are maladaptive in modern anatomy, the natural question is why selection has not eliminated them. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wisdom tooth

Word History

Etymology

from being cut usually in the late teens

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wisdom tooth was in 1824

Rhymes for wisdom tooth

See All Rhymes for wisdom tooth

Browse Nearby Words

Wisdom of Solomon
wisdom tooth
wise
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wisdom tooth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wisdom%20tooth. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

wisdom tooth

noun
: the last tooth of the full set of teeth on each side of the upper and lower jaw in a human being

Medical Definition

wisdom tooth

noun
wis·​dom tooth ˈwiz-dəm- How to pronounce wisdom tooth (audio)
: the third molar that is the last tooth to erupt on each side of the upper and lower human jaw

More from Merriam-Webster on wisdom tooth

Nglish: Translation of wisdom tooth for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulcrum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All