occipital bone

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. a curved, compound bone forming the back and part of the base of the skull.

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occipital bone British  

noun

1. the saucer-shaped bone that forms the back part of the skull and part of its base

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Etymology

Origin of occipital bone

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

But he would later recall the occipital bone when he learned that B-1’s skull was never recovered.

From New York Times

Gauge where to start the fade on your head by your occipital bone; you'll find it midway up your skull, a little higher than where your ears end.

From Salon

But life doesn't let you just take the losses; it grabs your occipital bone, looks you in the eye, and smushes your face into the earth.

From Golf Digest

He kisses blade to occipital bone—gentle—furrowing his brow as bone dust leaps like a celebration.

From Scientific American

“You have it locked up in the back of you,” one girl suggested, her hand creeping toward her occipital bone.

From The New Yorker