skeleton

1 of 2

noun

skel·​e·​ton ˈske-lə-tən How to pronounce skeleton (audio)
1
: a usually rigid supportive or protective structure or framework of an organism
especially : the bony or more or less cartilaginous framework supporting the soft tissues and protecting the internal organs of a vertebrate
2
: something reduced to its minimum form or essential parts
3
: an emaciated person or animal
4
a
: something forming a structural framework
b
: the straight or branched chain or ring of atoms that forms the basic structure of an organic molecule
5
: something shameful and kept secret (as in a family)
often used in the phrase skeleton in the closet
6
: a small sled that is ridden in a prone position and used especially in competition
also : the competition itself
skeletonic adjective

Illustration of skeleton

Illustration of skeleton
  • 1 skull
  • 2 clavicle
  • 3 scapula
  • 4 sternum
  • 5 humerus
  • 6 pelvis
  • 7 carpus
  • 8 metacarpal bones
  • 9 phalanges (fingers)
  • 10 tibia
  • 11 tarsus
  • 12 metatarsal bones
  • 13 phalanges (toes)
  • 14 fibula
  • 15 patella
  • 16 femur
  • 17 ulna
  • 18 radius
  • 19 spinal column
  • 20 rib
  • 21 orbit

skeleton

2 of 2

adjective

: of, consisting of, or resembling a skeleton

Examples of skeleton in a Sentence

Noun They found the fossil skeleton of a mastodon. He hung a plastic skeleton on the door for Halloween. She was a skeleton after her illness. Only the charred skeleton of the house remained after the fire. We saw a skeleton of the report before it was published.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Several feet underground lay a skeleton surrounded by pottery and adorned with gold. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 If the water temperature remains higher than normal for too long, coral can starve and die, turning white as its carbonate skeleton is exposed. Helen Regan, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024 However, the skeleton is pulled back into the sea by the next high tide and the remains can be found in shallow waters where various marine invertebrates and fish pick the bones clean. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The team hopes further analysis of the skeletons confirmed to have Down syndrome could identify a set of common skeletal qualities for individuals with the condition, which scientists can use to diagnose future cases when DNA can’t be recovered from bones. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024 Not all fish have bones — sharks have skeletons made of cartilage — and only bony fish form fish rings. The Arizona Republic, 19 Feb. 2024 In addition to the previous sports offered, the 2025 event will include alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, Nordic skiing, skeleton and wheelchair curling for the first time. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 17 Feb. 2024 While Prince Harry raced down the skeleton track twice, his wife took a pass. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024 The winning entries in this year’s Underwater Photographer of the Year contest have just been announced, and Alex Dawson was named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for his image of a whale skeleton on the seafloor, beneath the ice, in Greenland. Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Six weeks after his birth, Rivera and Dorsey gave the first glimpse at their newborn by posting a picture of him on Instagram in a skeleton Halloween costume. Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 29 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skeleton.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin, from Greek, neuter of skeletos dried up; akin to Greek skellein to dry up, sklēros hard and perhaps to Old English sceald shallow

First Known Use

Noun

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skeleton was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near skeleton

Cite this Entry

“Skeleton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skeleton. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

skeleton

1 of 2 noun
skel·​e·​ton ˈskel-ət-ᵊn How to pronounce skeleton (audio)
1
: a firm supporting or protecting structure or framework of a living thing
especially : a framework made of bone or sometimes cartilage that supports the soft tissues and protects the internal organs of a vertebrate (as a fish or human being) compare endoskeleton, exoskeleton
2
: a very thin person or animal
3
: something forming a structural framework

skeleton

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of, consisting of, or resembling a skeleton
a skeleton hand
2
: consisting of the smallest possible number of persons who can get a job done
a skeleton crew

Medical Definition

skeleton

noun
skel·​e·​ton ˈskel-ət-ᵊn How to pronounce skeleton (audio)
1
: a usually rigid supportive or protective structure or framework of an organism
especially : the bony or more or less cartilaginous framework supporting the soft tissues and protecting the internal organs of a vertebrate
2
: the straight or branched chain or ring of atoms that forms the basic structure of an organic molecule

More from Merriam-Webster on skeleton

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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