Illustration of arch
- 1 round
- imp impost
- sp springer
- v voussoir
- k keystone
- ext extrados
- int intrados
- 2 horseshoe
- 3 lancet
- 4 ogee
- 5 trefoil
- 6 basket-handle
- 7 Tudor
1
: a typically curved structural member spanning an opening and serving as a support (as for the wall or other weight above the opening)
2
a
: something resembling an arch in form or function
especially
: either of two vaulted portions of the bony structure of the foot that impart elasticity to it
b
: something that has a curved shape like an arch
There was a slight arch in her eyebrows.
an arch in the cat's back
3
: archway
arched; arching; arches
1
: to cover or provide with an arch
A bridge arches the stream.
2
: to form into an arch
She arched her eyebrows.
1
: to form an arch
Trees arch above the promenade.
2
: to take an arch-shaped course
The ball arched toward the basket.
2
a
: mischievous, saucy
b
: marked by a deliberate and often forced playfulness, irony, or impudence
known for her arch comments
… decided to answer them by being teacherly in a sort of arch, Olympian way.—
Gerald Early
Gerald Early
archness
noun
1
: chief : principal
archfiend
2
: extreme : most fully embodying the qualities of the kind
archconservative
see archi-
: ruler : leader
matriarch
: having (such) a point or (so many) points of origin
endarch
Did you know?
As a prefix, arch- appears in a number of titles referring to positions of superiority, such as archduke and archbishop; it can also mean "chief" (as in archnemesis) or "extreme" (archconservative). It comes from the Greek verb archein, meaning "to begin or to rule."
Synonyms
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Examples of arch in a Sentence
Noun
There was a slight arch to her eyebrows.
an arch in the cat's back
Verb
The cat arched its back.
She arched her eyebrows in surprise.
A tree arches over the road.
She arched backward to begin the exercise.
Adjective
a politician known for his arch humor
The novel is never mocking or arch in its tone.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
The sun-like symbol set into arch above the doorway is reminiscent of the entrances to Grande Dame hotels like the George V in Paris and the Beverly Wilshire, made famous by the film Pretty Woman.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Jen Chaney, Vulture, 16 July 2024
The front fascia is more aggressive, the inlets much bigger, and the wheel arches more prominent and sharp.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
Sam Leveridge, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
This set contains five foam shapes that are easy to stack and maneuver, including a base, arch, half-sun, and two stairs.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for arch 
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Noun
The prophet’s remains are believed to be entombed in an elegant mosque with sandstone arches.
—Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
The sun-like symbol set into arch above the doorway is reminiscent of the entrances to Grande Dame hotels like the George V in Paris and the Beverly Wilshire, made famous by the film Pretty Woman.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Doherty could have overplayed the sting of that line by arching an eyebrow or twisting her mouth into a little smirk.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 16 July 2024
The front fascia is more aggressive, the inlets much bigger, and the wheel arches more prominent and sharp.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Back-to-back defeats at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu have seen Real Madrid embarrassed by arch rivals FC Barcelona and then AC Milan in 4-0 and 3-1 losses respectively, leaving coach Carlo Ancelotti in a vulnerable position.
—Sam Leveridge, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
This set contains five foam shapes that are easy to stack and maneuver, including a base, arch, half-sun, and two stairs.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for arch
Dictionary Entries Near arch
Cite this Entry
“Arch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arch. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
arch
2 of 4 verb1
: to cover or provide with an arch
2
: to form into an arch
3
: to take an arch-shaped path
arch-
4 of 4 prefix
: chief : principal
archenemy
Etymology
Noun
Middle English arche "arch," from early French arche (same meaning), derived from Latin arcus "bow (weapon)"
Adjective
from arch- (prefix)
Prefix
derived from Greek archein "to begin, rule"
Medical Definition
arch
noun1
: an anatomical structure that resembles an arch in form or function: as
a
: either of two vaulted portions of the bony structure of the foot that impart elasticity to it:
(1)
: a longitudinal arch supported posteriorly by the basal tuberosity of the calcaneus and anteriorly by the heads of the metatarsal bones
(2)
: a transverse arch consisting of the metatarsals and first row of tarsals and resulting from elevation of the central anterior portion of the median longitudinal arch
2
: a fingerprint in which all the ridges run from side to side and make no backward turn
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