Meanings
nounsternum (plural sterna or sternums)
plural sterna · plural sternums
- anatomyThe breastbone, consisting of the manubrium, gladiolus, and xiphoid process.First known use 1660
The neckline fell into a V, showing the bone of his sternum.
2020, Akwaeke Emezi, The Death of Vivek Oji, Faber & Faber, page 231 - arachnologyThe sclerotized ventral plate of spiders, between the coxae, marking the floor of the cephalothorax.
Synonyms & antonyms
nounthe flat bone that articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs
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Also see
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- New Latinsternum
- Englishsternum
Borrowed from New Latin sternum, related to Old English steorn (“forehead”), German Stirn (“forehead”).
More words from New Latin
Full word history & related roots →Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with sternum
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Cite this entry
APA
sternum. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sternum
MLA
“sternum.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sternum. Accessed November 2, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “sternum,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sternum.
Source: sternum on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.