-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
occipital bone
noun
: a compound bone that forms the posterior part of the skull and bears a condyle by which the skull articulates with the atlas
Examples of occipital bone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This allows the hair to be positioned just above the occipital bone, enhancing the cheekbones and chin.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 3 July 2024
However, the mastoid processes and large, and the back of the skull does not show the angulated occipital bone and strong transverse torus found in large H. heidelbergensis individuals.
—Julia Musto, Fox News, 26 June 2021
And on his occipital bone, at the very base of the back of his skull, archaeologists found a fracture with sharp, linear edges—the work of a cutting blow from a heavy, edged weapon.
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 1 Oct. 2019
In addition, signs of decapitation were found on the occipital bones.
—Fox News, 19 Sep. 2019
The occipital bone is the main bone of the lower part of the skull.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health.com, 20 June 2019
Another bullet fractured her occipital bone, near the base of her neck, and the third struck the upper chest, the report said.
—Erin Hegarty, Elgin Courier-News, 30 Apr. 2018
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1679, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near occipital bone
Cite this Entry
“Occipital bone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/occipital%20bone. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
occipital bone
noun
: a compound bone that forms the back part of the skull
Medical Definition
occipital bone
noun
: a compound bone that forms the posterior part of the skull and surrounds the foramen magnum, bears the condyles for articulation with the atlas, is composed of four united elements, is much curved and roughly trapezoidal in outline, ends in front of the foramen magnum in the basilar process, and bears on its external surface behind the foramen magnum the two curved transverse superior and inferior nuchal lines as well as the median external occipital crest and external occipital protuberance
More from Merriam-Webster on occipital bone
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about occipital bone
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share