costo-

1. a combining form meaning “rib,” used in the formation of compound words:

   costoclavicular.

Word History and Origins

Origin of costo-¹

< Latin cost ( a ) rib ( costa ) + -o-

Example Sentences

No es el único al que el elevado costo de vida en Estados Unidos le parece desalentador.

From Los Angeles Times

Vende recuerdos de películas y tenis deportivos en eBay, y una vez puso a la venta un montón de camisetas blancas que le costo cada una por un dólar, y las vendío por 25 dólares cada una.

From Los Angeles Times

La Sonos Arc es cara, tiene un costo de 900 dólares.

From New York Times

La Sonos Arc es cara, tiene un costo de 900 dólares.

From New York Times

Cualquier gasto imprevisto, independientemente de su costo, le causa una sensación de incomodidad.

From New York Times

Words That Use Costo-

What does costo- mean?

Costo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “rib.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy and pathology.

Costo- comes from the Latin costa, meaning “rib, side.” The word costa was borrowed directly into English as a term for a “rib,” among other senses. The Latin costa is also the source of the word coast. Explore more at our entry for coast.

What are variants of costo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, costo- becomes cost-, as in costalgia.

Examples of costo-

One example of a medical term that features the combining form costo- is costotomy, “incision of a rib.”

The first part of the word, costo-, means “rib,” as we know. But what about –tomy? The combining form -tomy means “cutting, incision.” Costotomy literally translates to “rib cutting.”

What are some words that use the combining form costo-?

• costocoracoid
• costochondritis
• costogenic
• costotome
• costoscapular
• costosternal
• costotransverse
• costovertebral
• costoxiphoid

What are some other forms that costo- may be commonly confused with?

• cosmo-
• cysto-

The word cost, meaning “price,” is not related to the combining form costo- meaning “rib.” It comes from a different Latin root related to the word constant. Learn more at our entries for cost and constant.

Break it down!

Sternal is an adjective form of sternum, the breastbone. Costosternal refers to what parts of the body?