Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

false rib

noun

Definition of false rib

: a rib whose cartilages unite indirectly or not at all with the sternum — compare floating rib

First Known Use of false rib

15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

false rib

noun

medical Definition of false rib

: a rib whose cartilages unite indirectly or not at all with the sternum — compare floating rib

Illustration of false rib

illustration of false rib

Learn More about false rib

  1. See words that rhyme with false rib Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about false rib

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up false rib? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

notorious

play

widely and unfavorably known

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

false rib

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a-closeup-of-a-sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games