1. relating to or affecting the alveoli (small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs)
Usage: medical/anatomical
2. relating to or affecting the alveolar ridge (the bony ridge that holds the teeth)
Usage: dental/anatomical
3. produced with the tongue against or near the alveolar ridge
Usage: linguistics/phonetics

1. a consonant sound produced with the tongue against or near the alveolar ridge, such as /t/, /d/, or /n/
Usage: linguistics/phonetics

Examples

• Alveolar damage can result from prolonged exposure to certain chemicals.
• The patient's alveolar bone loss indicated advanced periodontal disease.
• In English, the /t/ sound is an alveolar consonant.
• Alveolar sounds are produced by placing the tongue against the ridge behind the upper front teeth.
• Pulmonary fibrosis causes scarring of the alveolar tissue.
• The dentist explained that alveolar ridge preservation is important after tooth extraction.