cheekbone
Americannoun
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cheekbones
plural
-
the zygomatic bone.
-
the part of that bone below the eye forming the prominence of the cheek.
-
the area of the cheek overlying this bone.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of cheekbone
before 1000; Middle English chekbon, Old English ceacban. See cheek, bone ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Its skull shows that these early snakes still had a cheekbone, also called the jugal bone, a feature that has almost completely disappeared in living snakes.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 24, 2026
He required what he described as "pretty major facial surgery" on a broken cheekbone, which has ruled him out of action until May.
From BBC ● Apr. 15, 2026
England captain Ben Stokes is still recovering after surgery on a broken cheekbone and will not play for Durham next week as planned.
From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2026
Edwards dislocated his left ring finger after his hand collided with Collins’ cheekbone.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 18, 2024
Phineas has a huge scar on his forehead and a small scar under his cheekbone, but otherwise he is physically healed.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
The glow of her computer occasionally caught her sharp cheekbones and bounced off her chin, highlighting the thin tattooed line that bisects it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
We’ve watched celebrities undertake this shape-shifting toward pillowy lips, smooth foreheads, high cheekbones.
From Slate ● Sep. 2, 2026
The dinosaur had large cheekbones, a broad braincase, and likely a short, deep snout.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 15, 2026
"This is the Zygopush," Marvin tells me, while pressing his thumbs directly under his cheekbones and massaging upwards towards his ears in an attempt to hollow out his cheeks.
From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2026
He’s got really nice cheekbones and incredible eyebrows.
From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
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