plural sternums or sterna
ˈstər-nə 
: a compound ventral bone or cartilage of most vertebrates other than fishes that connects the ribs or the shoulder girdle or both and in humans consists of the manubrium, gladiolus, and xiphoid process
called also breastbone
Examples of sternum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Place the heel of one hand at the bottom of the breast bone (sternum) at the nipple line.
—
Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2023
My new gastroenterologist had a theory to explain the all-consuming pain under my sternum.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023
Tkachuk recalls painful experience Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk suited up for Game 4 of the Cup Final after fracturing his sternum in Game 3 vs. Vegas.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
Features that particularly caught our attention are the removable sternum strap and waist belt for extra security, as well as shoulder straps that disconnect to be stowed away in one of the pockets.
—Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2023
Just enough toughness to handle being two-handed through an elk’s sternum, but just enough lightness not to ride on your belt like a wet beaver.
—T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 5 Oct. 2023
Prosecutors said one of the men was stabbed in the chest, his sternum cracked in the attack.
—David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2023
The Daylite Plus Pack is fitted with contoured shoulder straps, an adjustable sternum strap, and a removable hip belt that keeps weight close to the body to avoid strain or pressure points.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2023
Hays rubbed her knuckles against the girl’s sternum, then checked her pulse.
—Maggie Prosser, Dallas News, 14 Sep. 2023
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Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2023
My new gastroenterologist had a theory to explain the all-consuming pain under my sternum.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023
Tkachuk recalls painful experience Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk suited up for Game 4 of the Cup Final after fracturing his sternum in Game 3 vs. Vegas.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
Features that particularly caught our attention are the removable sternum strap and waist belt for extra security, as well as shoulder straps that disconnect to be stowed away in one of the pockets.
—Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2023
Just enough toughness to handle being two-handed through an elk’s sternum, but just enough lightness not to ride on your belt like a wet beaver.
—T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 5 Oct. 2023
Prosecutors said one of the men was stabbed in the chest, his sternum cracked in the attack.
—David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2023
The Daylite Plus Pack is fitted with contoured shoulder straps, an adjustable sternum strap, and a removable hip belt that keeps weight close to the body to avoid strain or pressure points.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2023
Hays rubbed her knuckles against the girl’s sternum, then checked her pulse.
—Maggie Prosser, Dallas News, 14 Sep. 2023
See More
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“Sternum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sternum. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
Medical Definition
sternum
noun
ster·num
ˈstər-nəm
plural sternums or sterna
-nə
: a compound ventral bone or cartilage that lies in the median central part of the body of most vertebrates above fishes and that in humans is about seven inches (18 centimeters) long, consists in the adult of three parts, and connects with the clavicles and the cartilages of the upper seven pairs of ribs
called also breastbone
More from Merriam-Webster on sternum
Nglish: Translation of sternum for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sternum
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