clavicle

American  

[klav-i-kuhl] / ˈklæv ɪ kəl /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

1. a bone of the pectoral arch.

2. (in humans) either of two slender bones, each articulating with the sternum and a scapula and forming the anterior part of a shoulder; collarbone.

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clavicle British  

/ kləˈvɪkjʊlə, kləˈvɪkjʊˌleɪt, ˈklævɪkəl /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: collarbone.  either of the two bones connecting the shoulder blades with the upper part of the breastbone

2. the corresponding structure in other vertebrates

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clavicle Scientific  

/ klăv′ĭ-kəl /

1. Either of two slender bones that extend from the upper part of the sternum (breastbone) to the shoulder.

2. Also called collarbone

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Other Word Forms

• clavicular
  adjective
• claviculate
  adjective
• subclavicular
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of clavicle

1605–15; < Medieval Latin clāvicula collarbone, Latin: tendril, door-bolt, little key, equivalent to clāvi ( s ) key + -cula -cule ¹

Explanation

The clavicle, more commonly known as the collarbone, connects your shoulder blade to you sternum. The clavicle is the only long horizontal bone in the body (all the other long bones are vertical, such as those in the arms and legs). It evolved to provide a structural support for the arms, and also to serve as protection around blood vessels and nerves in that part of the body. The clavicles of birds are Y-shaped and, on a holiday turkey, are also called the "wishbone."

Example Sentences

Last week recorded two doji candles, and could be forming the right clavicle in a bullish inverse head and shoulders pattern.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Ahkello Witherspoon’s fractured clavicle is expected to keep him out for about 12 weeks, posing a significant blow to the Rams secondary ahead of showdown vs.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025

Mr Warburton sustained a dislocated right hip and a displaced clavicle.

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2025

In the season’s sixth game, Burakovsky broke his clavicle when shoved off-balance into the boards by notorious New York Rangers “hit” man Jacob Trouba — again without the Kraken responding.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 27, 2024

The throbbing ache near her clavicle when she shifted was a painful reminder of the rock that had hit her, but she bit into her lip until the threatening tears waned.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray