skeleton

1 of 2

noun

skel·​e·​ton ˈske-lə-tən How to pronounce skeleton (audio)
1
: a usually rigid supportive or protective structure or framework of an organism
especially : the bony or more or less cartilaginous framework supporting the soft tissues and protecting the internal organs of a vertebrate
2
: something reduced to its minimum form or essential parts
3
: an emaciated person or animal
4
a
: something forming a structural framework
b
: the straight or branched chain or ring of atoms that forms the basic structure of an organic molecule
5
: something shameful and kept secret (as in a family)
often used in the phrase skeleton in the closet
6
: a small sled that is ridden in a prone position and used especially in competition
also : the competition itself
skeletonic adjective

Illustration of skeleton

Illustration of skeleton
  • 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

skeleton

2 of 2

adjective

: of, consisting of, or resembling a skeleton

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
The popularity of the big skeletons, however, could wane this year. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024 But it was built on the skeleton of a soap, with Alex in the role of aging diva and Witherspoon’s firebrand Bradley Jackson as a younger upstart. TIME, 14 Mar. 2024 Producer and director William Castle was known for his gimmicks, and this movie has a good one: Emergo, in which a skeleton on a string flies over the audience’s heads during a key scene. Katie Rife, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2024 In more recent photos, his skin appears wrinkled and yellow, his open eyes look hollow, and his skeleton is clearly visible. Zaina Arafat, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Archaeologists will continue analyzing the skeletons. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 The whereabouts of the bright red skeleton also remained a mystery this weekend. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 17 Feb. 2024 Several feet underground lay a skeleton surrounded by pottery and adorned with gold. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 If the water temperature remains higher than normal for too long, coral can starve and die, turning white as its carbonate skeleton is exposed. Helen Regan, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Six weeks after his birth, Rivera and Dorsey gave the first glimpse at their newborn by posting a picture of him on Instagram in a skeleton Halloween costume. Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 29 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skeleton.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin, from Greek, neuter of skeletos dried up; akin to Greek skellein to dry up, sklēros hard and perhaps to Old English sceald shallow

First Known Use

Noun

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skeleton was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near skeleton

Cite this Entry

“Skeleton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skeleton. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

skeleton

1 of 2 noun
skel·​e·​ton ˈskel-ət-ᵊn How to pronounce skeleton (audio)
1
: a firm supporting or protecting structure or framework of a living thing
especially : a framework made of bone or sometimes cartilage that supports the soft tissues and protects the internal organs of a vertebrate (as a fish or human being) compare endoskeleton, exoskeleton
2
: a very thin person or animal
3
: something forming a structural framework

skeleton

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of, consisting of, or resembling a skeleton
a skeleton hand
2
: consisting of the smallest possible number of persons who can get a job done
a skeleton crew

Medical Definition

skeleton

noun
skel·​e·​ton ˈskel-ət-ᵊn How to pronounce skeleton (audio)
1
: a usually rigid supportive or protective structure or framework of an organism
especially : the bony or more or less cartilaginous framework supporting the soft tissues and protecting the internal organs of a vertebrate
2
: the straight or branched chain or ring of atoms that forms the basic structure of an organic molecule

More from Merriam-Webster on skeleton

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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