skull

American  

[skuhl] / skʌl /

noun

1. the bony framework of the head, enclosing the brain and supporting the face; the skeleton of the head.

2. the head as the center of knowledge and understanding; mind.

   to get literature's great ideas through our skulls.

3. Armor.  the part of a helmet that covers the top of the head.

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idioms

1. out of one's skull,  crazy; demented.

skull British  

/ skʌl /

noun

1. the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates See cranium

2. derogatory  the head regarded as the mind or intelligence

   to have a dense skull

3. a picture of a skull used to represent death or danger

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skull Scientific  

/ skŭl /

1. The part of the skeleton that forms the framework of the head, consisting of the bones of the cranium, which protect the brain, and the bones of the face.

2. See more at skeleton

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Other Word Forms

• skull-less adjective
• skull-like adjective

Etymology

Origin of skull

1175–1225; Middle English scolle < Old Norse skalli

Example Sentences

Although many living species share flexible skulls and other advanced traits, only the tuatara still retains a complete lower temporal bar, giving it a more ancestral appearance.

From Science Daily

From Nepal to Peru, Morocco and Madagascar, brandishing the symbol of a skull and crossbones in a straw hat, Gen Z protests across the world stood up to authorities in 2025, even toppling two governments.

From Barron's

High-resolution X-ray CT makes it possible to view structures concealed inside preserved specimens, including the interior of a chameleon's skull.

From Science Daily

William, from Bath in Somerset, has Treacher Collins syndrome which is a condition that affects the growth of a child's skull and facial bones.

From BBC

Mr White was operating the vacuum excavator which sucked up the soil from around the skull to avoid any potential damage that digging could cause.

From BBC

Related Words

• cranium
• scalp