wishbone

noun

wish·​bone ˈwish-ˌbōn 

1

: a forked bone in front of the breastbone in a bird consisting chiefly of the two clavicles fused at their median or lower end

2

: a variation of the T formation in which the halfbacks line up farther from the line of scrimmage than the fullback does

Illustration of wishbone

• W wishbone 1

Examples of wishbone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The rest of the skeleton has all four of its claws, as well as a complete pelvis, wishbone, and femur. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2026

Mac’s Year 4 wishbone Buffs in 1985 finished September 3-1 with wins over CSU, Oregon and Arizona. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 3 Oct. 2026

Researchers also discovered Rex Junior’s wishbone in its original position. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026

Aston Martin / Brough Superior Brough’s also doing its double-wishbone ‘Fior fork’ front suspension that separates steering and braking forces, and avoids diving. — New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the superstition that when two persons pull it apart the one getting the longer fragment will have a wish granted

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for wishbone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

wishbone

noun

wish·​bone ˈwish-ˌbōn 

: a bone in front of a bird's breastbone that is shaped like a V and consists chiefly of two fused clavicles