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
Clancy allegedly strangled her three children and then tried to kill herself by jumping out a window in 2023, leaving her paralyzed from the sternum down.
—
Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
Watch for signs of difficulty breathing, such as wheezing, the chest pulling in at the sternum or a bluish tinge to the lips.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
The two students allegedly tussled on the ground and both had hands on the knife during the struggle — until the 18 year old gained control of the weapon and stabbed Graham through his sternum and into his heart, according to the outlet.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
As a result, the main area of recovery was the sternum.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
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“Sternum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sternum. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Kids 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
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