skull and crossbones

noun

plural skulls and crossbones
: a representation of a human skull over crossbones usually used as a warning of danger to life

Examples of skull and crossbones in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The officials had opened a bottle of medicine while disregarding the skull and crossbones on the warning label. David Zweig, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025 Banksy has riffed on the Virgin and Child theme before: His 2003 work Toxic Mary portrays a Madonna figures feeding a child milk from a bottle emblazoned with a skull and crossbones. George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 17 Dec. 2024 The email included a chart showing a skull and crossbones at around that depth. Mark Harris, WIRED, 27 Sep. 2024 Stokes, who has long hair and glasses, giving him the look of a scientific David Foster Wallace, decorated his office with a poster of a skull and crossbones. Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for skull and crossbones

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skull and crossbones was in 1826

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Cite this Entry

“Skull and crossbones.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skull%20and%20crossbones. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

skull and crossbones

noun
skull and cross·​bones -ˈkrȯs-ˌbōnz How to pronounce skull and crossbones (audio)
plural skulls and crossbones
: a representation of a human skull over crossbones used as a warning of danger to life
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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