skeleton

1 of 2

noun

skel·e·ton ˈske-lə-tən

Synonyms of skeleton next

: 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

: something reduced to its minimum form or essential parts

: an emaciated person or animal

: something forming a structural framework

: the straight or branched chain or ring of atoms that forms the basic structure of an organic molecule

: something shameful and kept secret (as in a family)

—often used in the phrase skeleton in the closet

: a small sled that is ridden in a prone position and used especially in competition

also : the competition itself

skeletonic

ˌske-lə-ˈtä-nik

adjective

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

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.

Noun

The fact that Alabama’s prisons are so extraordinarily understaffed and under-resourced means that the prisons are often operating with [a] skeleton crew of people. —

Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2025 Our rendition—the internal skeleton—probably also started out on the outside of the body of ancient creatures, as bony scales. —

Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 25 Jan. 2025

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 See all Example Sentences for skeleton

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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Skeleton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skeleton. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

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Kids Definition

skeleton

1 of 2 noun

skel·e·ton ˈskel-ət-ᵊn

: 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

: a very thin person or animal

: something forming a structural framework

skeleton

2 of 2 adjective

: of, consisting of, or resembling a skeleton

a skeleton hand

: 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

: 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

: the straight or branched chain or ring of atoms that forms the basic structure of an organic molecule

Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences

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skeleton

noun

Illustration of skeleton

adjective

Synonyms

Examples of skeleton in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near skeleton

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition