wishbone

noun

wish·​bone ˈwish-ˌbōn 

1

: a forked bone in front of the breastbone in a bird consisting chiefly of the two clavicles fused at their median or lower end

2

: a variation of the T formation in which the halfbacks line up farther from the line of scrimmage than the fullback does

Illustration of wishbone

• W wishbone 1

Examples of wishbone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The chassis is built with a front double-wishbone and rear five-link suspension setup, delivering stability and control across various driving conditions. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2025

To ensure a plush ride, V-class may have Mercedes air springing paired with double wishbone or multi-link suspension similar to that found in the EQS Mercedes and Maybach 680. —Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Begonia, boxwood, coleus, coral bells, hosta hydrangea, fuchsia, hellebore, impatiens, lungwort, maidenhair fern (varies according to genus and species), and wishbone flower will grow well in containers. —Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025

For this window box, Pamela relied on dependable annuals like yellow shrimp plants, wishbone flowers, and impatiens to bring in pollinators. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 6 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

from the superstition that when two persons pull it apart the one getting the longer fragment will have a wish granted

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for wishbone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

wishbone

noun

wish·​bone ˈwish-ˌbōn 

: a bone in front of a bird's breastbone that is shaped like a V and consists chiefly of two fused clavicles