Ridge: meaning, definitions and examples

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ridge

 

[ rɪdʒ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

on a mountain

A long, narrow elevation of land; a chain of hills or mountains.

Synonyms

crest, peak, spur, summit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ridge

Use 'ridge' when referring to a long, narrow elevated land that typically acts as a dividing line between two areas. It's often found in mountain ranges.

  • We hiked along the mountain ridge for hours, enjoying the stunning views on both sides
crest

Choose 'crest' when you want to describe the top or highest point of a hill, wave, or other formation. It often conveys a sense of reaching the highest point.

  • After a strenuous climb, we finally reached the crest of the hill where the view was breathtaking
peak

Go for 'peak' when referring to the pointed top of a mountain or hill. It emphasizes the highest and most prominent point.

  • The snow-covered peak of the mountain glistened in the sunlight
summit

Apply 'summit' to describe the highest point of a mountain, specifically when referring to a climbing or reaching the ultimate goal. It is often used in a more formal or grand context.

  • The climbers finally reached the summit of Mount Everest after weeks of treacherous conditions
spur

Use 'spur' when talking about a smaller offshoot or point extending from a mountain ridge or range. Often used to describe projecting landforms.

  • A narrow spur jutted out from the main ridge, providing a perfect spot for a rest

Examples of usage

  • The hikers climbed to the top of the ridge to enjoy the view.
  • The ridge offered a panoramic view of the surrounding valleys.
  • The ridge line extended for miles along the mountain range.
Context #2 | Noun

on a roof

A long, narrow raised part or structure on the surface of something.

Synonyms

crown, peak, summit, top.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ridge

Use 'ridge' when referring to a long, narrow elevation of land, usually between valleys or along the top of a mountain range. It implies a continuous stretch rather than a single point.

  • The hikers followed the ridge to reach the next campsite.
  • From the ridge, they could see both sides of the valley.
peak

Use 'peak' to refer to the pointed top of a mountain or any highest level or point, especially in a more specific or sharp sense. It often carries connotations of reaching the maximum capacity or potential.

  • They aimed to reach the peak before noon.
  • Her career reached its peak in the 1990s.
crown

Use 'crown' to describe the very top of something, especially when it has a rounded shape or is the highest point of a tree or head. It's often used metaphorically and can imply a position of being the best or highest.

  • The oak tree reached its crown above all the others in the forest.
  • The athlete finally gained the crown in the championship after years of effort.
summit

Use 'summit' to describe the highest point of a mountain, or a high-level formal meeting between leaders. It often implies a challenging point to reach, whether physically or metaphorically.

  • Climbers from around the world gathered to scale the summit of Everest.
  • The world leaders met at the economic summit to discuss global issues.
top

Use 'top' in a general sense to refer to the uppermost part or surface of something. It is versatile and can be used in many contexts outside of physical geography.

  • She placed the book on top of the pile.
  • He climbed to the top of the hill to get a better view.

Examples of usage

  • The ridge of the roof was covered with snow after the storm.
  • The roofers installed shingles along the ridge for extra protection.
Context #3 | Verb

in geology

To form into or rise in a ridge.

Synonyms

create, form, rise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ridge

A 'ridge' is often used to describe a long, narrow elevated land feature, such as a mountain ridge. It can also refer to a raised line on a surface.

  • We hiked along the mountain ridge for hours.
  • A ridge of dirt marks where the old path used to be.
form

Use 'form' when you want to describe the process of shaping something or developing a particular structure.

  • The artist will form the clay into a vase.
  • A plan began to form in his mind.
create

The word 'create' is typically used when talking about bringing something into existence or producing something new through imagination or skill.

  • She loves to create beautiful paintings.
  • The new software was created by a team of developers.
rise

The word 'rise' is used to describe something going upwards or increasing. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like prices or temperatures.

  • The sun will rise at 6 AM tomorrow.
  • There has been a rise in food prices recently.

Examples of usage

  • The glacier ridge formed over thousands of years.
  • The pressure caused the rocks to ridge and crack.

Translations

Translations of the word "ridge" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cume

🇮🇳 पहाड़ी की चोटी

🇩🇪 Grat

🇮🇩 punggung bukit

🇺🇦 гребінь

🇵🇱 grzbiet

🇯🇵 尾根 (おね)

🇫🇷 crête

🇪🇸 cresta

🇹🇷 sırt

🇰🇷 산등성이

🇸🇦 قمة

🇨🇿 hřeben

🇸🇰 hrebeň

🇨🇳 山脊 (shānjǐ)

🇸🇮 greben

🇮🇸 hryggur

🇰🇿 жота

🇬🇪 ქედი

🇦🇿 silisə

🇲🇽 cresta

Etymology

The word 'ridge' originated from the Old English word 'hrycg' which meant 'back, spine, or crest of a hill'. Over time, it evolved to represent a narrow elevation of land or a raised part on a surface. The concept of a ridge has been significant in geography, architecture, and geology, symbolizing high points or structures. Today, 'ridge' continues to be used in various contexts to describe elevated landforms or structures.

See also: ridged.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,052 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.