sternum

noun

ster·​num ˈstər-nəm How to pronounce sternum (audio)
plural sternums or sterna ˈstər-nə How to pronounce sternum (audio)
: 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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sternum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek sternon chest, breastbone; akin to Old High German stirna forehead, Latin sternere to spread out — more at strew

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sternum was in 1667

Dictionary Entries Near sternum

Cite this Entry

“Sternum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sternum. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

sternum

noun
ster·​num ˈstər-nəm How to pronounce sternum (audio)
plural sternums or sterna -nə How to pronounce sternum (audio)
: a flat narrow piece of bone or cartilage in the chest that connects the ribs in most vertebrates other than fishes

called also breastbone

Medical Definition

sternum

noun
ster·​num ˈstər-nəm How to pronounce sternum (audio)
plural sternums or sterna -nə How to pronounce sternum (audio)
: 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

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