Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

rib cage

American  

noun

Anatomy.
  1. the enclosure formed by the ribs and their connecting bones.


rib cage Scientific  
  1. The bony structure in the chest formed by the ribs and sternum (breastbone) that encloses and protects the heart and lungs.


Etymology

Origin of rib cage

First recorded in 1905–10

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:

For a typical flaw like a ball flight that is repeatedly low and left, PG1 might advise players to extend their elbow farther from their rib cage as part of their downswing.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 10, 2026

I have pain in my back, my right foot, and my rib cage.

From Slate Feb. 25, 2025

But Muncy said he felt a “twinge” in his rib cage while taking batting practice in Arizona during the Dodgers’ last trip and has been shut down indefinitely from most baseball activities.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 2, 2024

Tommy DeVito, who was promoted from the practice squad this week with backup Tyrod Taylor on injured reserve with a rib cage injury, finished up.

From Seattle Times Nov. 6, 2023

Francis’s character impressions had me dying so hard I’d beg him to shut up because my rib cage hurt.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 14,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training