sternum
|stern-um|
🇺🇸
/ˈstɝnəm/
🇬🇧
/ˈstɜːnəm/
breastbone
Etymology
'sternum' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'sternum', and ultimately from Ancient Greek 'sternon' meaning 'chest' or 'breast'.
'sternon' (Ancient Greek) → Latin 'sternum' (used in medical/New Latin) → entered English as the anatomical term 'sternum'.
Initially it referred more generally to the 'chest' or 'breast' ('sternon'); over time it came to denote specifically the 'breastbone' (the bony structure) in anatomical usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the flat bone in the center of the chest (breastbone) that connects to the ribs via cartilage; the anterior midline bone of the thorax.
A fractured sternum can be very painful and may require medical attention.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/10 11:16