skeleton
noun
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Definition of skeleton
(Entry 1 of 2)
skeleton
adjectiveDefinition of skeleton (Entry 2 of 2)
Illustration of skeleton
Noun
skeleton 1:1 skull, 2 clavicle, 3 scapula, 4 sternum, 5 humerus, 6 pelvis, 7 carpus, 8 metacarpal bones, 9 phalanges (fingers), 10 tibia, 11 tarsus, 12 metatarsal bones, 13 phalanges (toes), 14 fibula, 15 patella, 16 femur, 17 ulna, 18 radius, 19 spinal column, 20 rib, 21 orbit
In the meaning defined above
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Other Words from skeleton
Noun
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adjective
Synonyms for skeleton
Synonyms: Noun
architecture, armature, cadre, configuration, edifice, fabric, frame, framework, framing, infrastructure, shell, structure
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Examples of skeleton in a Sentence
Noun
They found the fossil skeleton of a mastodon. He hung a plastic skeleton on the door for Halloween. She was a skeleton after her illness. Only the charred skeleton of the house remained after the fire. We saw a skeleton of the report before it was published.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Researchers, after looking at evidence from skeletons in a mysterious burial pit found in 2013 near the town of Osijek in eastern Croatia, say people who practiced artificial cranial deformation appear to have lived in the area at the time. — Martin Finucane, BostonGlobe.com, "Medieval Croatian skulls indicate that people intentionally modified their head shapes. But why?," 29 Aug. 2019 Losing part of one’s skeleton in such a dramatic manner caused me to contemplate mortality, which caused me to consider how my experiences at this end of life might benefit you, the younger reader. — Washington Post, "Gene Weingarten: A few (end of) life hacks for the young geezers," 24 Aug. 2019 The Fallbrook author’s twisty 2006 novel begins with a dead body under a San Diego bridge and goes on to poke at the skeletons in our civic closet. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: 10 great books set in San Diego will put local spin on your lit list," 23 Aug. 2019 The researchers compared the drumsticklike bones to bird skeletons in the South Australian Museum collection and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's electronic collection. — oregonlive.com, "Now that’s a dead parrot (not to mention an extremely large one)," 7 Aug. 2019 In that atmosphere, outside groups played a key role in finding damning skeletons in Parker’s closet. — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, "5 Reasons Why Supreme Court Nominations Have Failed," 10 July 2018 Taxidermy, with its must and gamey sexuality, is the skeleton on which that panic hangs. — Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, "Taxidermy Is a Metaphor for Our Time," 21 Aug. 2019 EspoloÌ€n Tequila Anejo Instantly recognizable by the skeletons on its label, EspoloÌ€n is a well known brand that has earned its high reputation. — Chris Morris, Fortune, "5 Tequilas to Help You Celebrate National Tequila Day," 24 July 2019 Eakin said the rest of the skeleton is languishing at the Department of Defense’s Central Identification Lab. — Guillermo Contreras, ExpressNews.com, "Families of missing WWII servicemen want the Pentagon to exhume and ID their remains," 23 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'skeleton.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for skeleton
skeleton
noun
English Language Learners Definition of skeleton
(Entry 1 of 2)
skeleton
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of skeleton (Entry 2 of 2)
See the full definition for skeleton in the English Language Learners Dictionary
skeleton
noun
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