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 Pitchaya inserts needles into my forehead, sternum, stomach, thighs, and ankles, then uses a technique often practiced on stroke patients to reopen the body's nine sensory portals and combat depression, which shoots a sudden jolt of electricity up from my left ankle. Chloe Bottero, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2024 Her elderly passenger suffered a fractured pelvis, ribs and sternum in the crash and was taken to a hospital. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2024 Transfer Collin Schlee does not appear to be an option after suffering what’s believed to be a sternum injury last weekend against Oregon State. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2023 Derived from chicken sternum cartilage, UC-II collagen is said to be more effective than other collagen types due to its unique molecular structure. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2023 The blade sliced cleanly, the first stroke starting behind the left ear, flowing down the side of the neck, before curving around the collarbone, and terminating at the sternum. Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 5 Feb. 2024 Most critically, Matthew Tkachuk, who missed Game 5, broke his sternum in Game 3. Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, 17 June 2023 Packs should be adjustable in the sternum straps for a close fit without feeling confining, and the material should be breathable against your back to help wick moisture. Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2023 Rather than going with a standard crew collar base layer upper, consider the Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Quarter-zip Base Layer, which comes with a zipper that spans from a turtleneck-height collar down to the lower sternum. Nathan Borchelt, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2023

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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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