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 incident resulted in Force sustaining a traumatic brain injury, a fractured sternum, and a right wrist injury.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
During open heart surgery, a surgeon makes a 6- to 8-inch cut (incision) down the middle of the chest wall, followed by cutting the breastbone (sternum) and opening the rib cage to expose the heart.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2024
John McGinty sustained a fractured sternum and severe fractures to his left arm and wrist, leading to a bone graft.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024
The cardiothoracic surgeon will make a large incision down the center of your chest, cut open the sternum (breastbone), and spread the rib cage to visualize and operate on the heart.
—Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sternum 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
During open heart surgery, a surgeon makes a 6- to 8-inch cut (incision) down the middle of the chest wall, followed by cutting the breastbone (sternum) and opening the rib cage to expose the heart.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2024
John McGinty sustained a fractured sternum and severe fractures to his left arm and wrist, leading to a bone graft.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024
The cardiothoracic surgeon will make a large incision down the center of your chest, cut open the sternum (breastbone), and spread the rib cage to visualize and operate on the heart.
—Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sternum
Dictionary Entries Near sternum
Cite this Entry
“Sternum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sternum. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share