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

The whole body, up to the clavicle (collarbone), is submerged during that time.9 Cold plunges may offer physical and mental benefits, such as reduced inflammation, better sleep, and improved mood, though more large-scale research is needed to confirm these effects. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 26 June 2025

After a standout showing as captain of Canada’s gold-medal team at last summer’s Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, Schaefer posted 22 points in 17 games with Erie last fall before breaking his clavicle at the wold junior championship. —Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

There is an incision that is made and an insertion of a tube into the right clavicle. —J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025

Outlets report that authorities found five types of human bones put up for sale on the website, including two human skull fragments for $90, a human clavicle and scapula for $90, a human rib for $35, a human vertebrae for $35 and a partial human skull for $600. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 14 Apr. 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