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 WebLisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 8 June 2024
The giveaways are found not just in the various overgrown buildings and streets seen in the film, but in the specificity of one shot that features the remnants of the parabolic arches that define the center of Los Angeles International Airport.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 11 May 2024
Jane Alexander, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Feb. 2024
Keep your ribs down, without arching your back, with your chin tucked.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 23 May 2024
Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2024
Sandals with solid arch support and a grippy outsole are must-haves for summertime, and now is the perfect time to stock up on some new pairs.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for arch 
Noun
More than 50 arches of Douglas fir, like a giant rib cage, were curved to accommodate the giant blimps.
—Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 8 June 2024
The giveaways are found not just in the various overgrown buildings and streets seen in the film, but in the specificity of one shot that features the remnants of the parabolic arches that define the center of Los Angeles International Airport.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 11 May 2024
Verb
The road becomes narrow, winding through villages and coconut groves, where palms arch over stone walls.
—Jane Alexander, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Feb. 2024
Keep your ribs down, without arching your back, with your chin tucked.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 23 May 2024
Adjective
For extra comfort, the sandals have pronounced arch support, deep heel cups, and roomy toe boxes so your feet are always securely inside the shoe, stable, and free to spread out.
—Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2024
Sandals with solid arch support and a grippy outsole are must-haves for summertime, and now is the perfect time to stock up on some new pairs.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for arch
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'arch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near arch
Cite this Entry
“Arch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arch. Accessed 27 Jun. 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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