floating rib
noun
: a rib (such as one of either of the last two pairs in humans) that has no attachment to the sternum compare false rib
Examples of floating rib in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Judith Viorst The ‘White Lotus’ Smile Discourse Is Actually Pretty Condescending
By Valerie Monroe
Other remote dangers of rib surgery include injury to the nerves that run underneath the ribs as well as damage to the kidneys, which sit deep behind the floating ribs.
—
Jolene Edgar, Allure, 10 Apr. 2025
Skin farther up the neck to remove the neck meat, if desired. Find the floating rib, between the back of the chest cavity and forward of the hip bone.
—Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 20 Nov. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jolene Edgar, Allure, 10 Apr. 2025
Skin farther up the neck to remove the neck meat, if desired. Find the floating rib, between the back of the chest cavity and forward of the hip bone.
—Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 20 Nov. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Floating rib.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floating%20rib. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share