clavicle

noun

clav·​i·​cle ˈkla-vi-kəl 

: a bone of the shoulder girdle typically serving to link the scapula and sternum

called also collarbone

clavicular

kla-ˈvi-kyə-lər 

klə-

adjective

Examples of clavicle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Last year, Brown, who came to the Chiefs as a free agent, suffered a dislocated clavicle on the first play of the preseason and missed the first 14 regular-season games. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2025

The bicyclist was diagnosed with a brain bleed, eight broken ribs, a fractured clavicle and scapula and tear in the carotid artery. —Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025

The imbalance, caused by the weight, works its way up my arm to the muscles of my shoulder, my scapula pulling my neck, my neck pulling my clavicle, my clavicle pulling my ribs; and then my spine has to compensate. —John Haskell, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025

The second bullet entered at the left clavicle and exited at the left back and shoulder. —Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

French clavicule, from New Latin clavicula, from Latin, diminutive of Latin clavis; akin to Greek kleid-, kleis key, kleiein to close

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

clavicle

noun

clav·​i·​cle ˈklav-i-kəl 

: a bone of the shoulder that joins the breastbone and the shoulder blade

called also collarbone

Medical Definition

clavicle

noun

clav·​i·​cle ˈklav-i-kəl 

: a bone of the shoulder girdle that links the scapula and sternum, is situated just above the first rib on either side of the neck, and has the form of a narrow elongated S

called also collarbone

clavicular

kla-ˈvik-yə-lər, klə- 

adjective