sternum

American  

[stur-nuhm] / ˈstɜr nəm /

noun

plural

sterna, sternums

1. Anatomy, Zoology. a bone or series of bones extending along the middle line of the ventral portion of the body of most vertebrates, consisting in humans of a flat, narrow bone connected with the clavicles and the true ribs; breastbone.

2. the ventral surface of a body segment of an arthropod.

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sternum British  

/ ˈstɜːnəm /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: breastbone.  (in man) a long flat vertical bone, situated in front of the thorax, to which are attached the collarbone and the first seven pairs of ribs

2. the corresponding part in many other vertebrates

3. a cuticular plate covering the ventral surface of a body segment of an arthropod Compare tergum

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sternum Scientific  

/ stûr′nəm /

1. A long, flat bone located in the center of the chest, serving as a support for the collarbone and ribs.

2. Also called breastbone

3. See more at skeleton

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Other Word Forms

• sternal adjective

Etymology

Origin of sternum

1660–70; < New Latin < Greek stérnon chest, breastbone

Example Sentences

Heart surgery is extremely traumatic, physically and emotionally, and requires at least three months of recovery, and many months more for your husband’s sternum to fully heal.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 22, 2026

A member of a Homeland Security task force was hospitalized with a “possible sternum fracture” after being hit by a car in November in National City, just outside of San Diego, according to DHS.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 1, 2025

"I play rugby, so having scars on my legs from studs and knocks here and there, having one on my sternum doesn't faze me."

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2025

Sutures, as in the skull, don’t move in adults, and cartilaginous joints, such as those that connect the ribs to the sternum, tend to have very limited mobility.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 25, 2024

The End And just before we both shut up and fell asleep, Cade reached over and poked his index finger into my sternum and said, “A centipede with ninety-six amputations.”

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith