sternum

noun

ster·​num ˈstər-nəm 

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

The team discovered more of this lipid-rich cartilage in the mouse nose, larynx, and sternum. —Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 9 Jan. 2025

Hsu, a resident of New York City, underwent surgery and chemotherapy, but the cancer moved to her spine and sternum in 2018. —Gretchen Morgenson, NBC News, 27 Dec. 2024

Chest pain or a stabbing pain in the back or sternum. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 2 Oct. 2024

And chest shape and size will also interact with those straps, and the sternum strap that keeps those shoulder straps from sliding around. —Wes Siler, Outside Online, 14 Aug. 2024

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

Kids Definition

sternum

noun

ster·​num ˈstər-nəm 

plural sternums or sterna -nə 

: 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 

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