collarbone

American

[kol-er-bohn] / ˈkɒl ərˌboʊn /

noun

the clavicle.

collarbone British

/ ˈkɒləˌbəʊn /

noun

the nontechnical name for clavicle

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

collarbone Scientific

/ kŏl′ər-bōn′ /

See clavicle

Etymology

Origin of collarbone

First recorded in 1605–15; collar + bone

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Though he almost immediately broke a collarbone during a practice, he stuck with the sport in the belief that it would make him a better policeman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Marquez missed the last four races of the season after injuring his collarbone at the Indonesia grand prix with the title already in the bag.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

He has also inked sharks — a symbol of Pomona 12th Street — across his hand and collarbone and the words “Fins Up” on his lips.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

In 2016, I broke my collarbone eight weeks before the Ironman World Champs and it was my mindset that carried me to the finish line.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2025

Ritchie’s complaining of a sore collarbone from the Sledge Game, Audrey’s enjoying herself, and Marv’s winning.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023