wishbone

American  

[wish-bohn] / ˈwɪʃˌboʊn /

noun

wishbones plural

1. a forked bone, formed by the fusion of the two clavicles, in front of the breastbone in most birds; furcula.

2. Football. an offensive formation in which the fullback is positioned directly behind the quarterback and the two halfbacks are positioned farther behind and to the left and right, respectively.

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wishbone British  

/ ˈwɪʃˌbəʊn /

noun

1. the V-shaped bone above the breastbone in most birds consisting of the fused clavicles; furcula

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wishbone Scientific  

/ wĭsh′bōn′ /

1. The forked bone in front of the breastbone in most birds, consisting of the two collarbones partly fused together. It serves as a spring, capturing some of the energy during the downward stroke of the wings for release on the upward stroke.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• wishbones
  plural

Etymology

Origin of wishbone

1850–55, wish + bone; so called from the custom of pulling the furcula of a cooked fowl apart until it breaks, the person holding the longer (sometimes shorter) piece being granted a wish

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wishbone wishbones

San Fernando is an eight-time City Section champion with a rich history that includes its wishbone teams of the 1970s featuring the late Charles White, who won the Heisman Trophy at USC.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2025

In Canada, McLaren introduced a small tweak to the suspension geometry, around where the upper wishbone meets the front wheel, in an attempt increase feel.

From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2025

For a 4-7 Washington team facing a powerful 7-3 Cowboys squad in Dallas, that’s a wishbone that will be difficult to grab.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 22, 2023

That is the origin of the main course, the one that leads to debates over white vs. dark meat, deep-fried vs. roasted turkey, and who will acquire the wistful wishbone.

From Salon ● Nov. 15, 2021

He told Dwight he’d give him some of his Bible bucks if he’d let me pull the wishbone with Cotton.

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor

"I wouldn't want to be a designer in Aston Martin. That's a very impressive set of wishbones on that car. Really, really intrinsic or interesting design."

From BBC ● Feb. 3, 2026

Next to the mannequin is a small black vanity desk and mirror with makeup and porcelain wishbones filling the table’s surface.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2025

The East Village relic, founded in 1854, is embellished with historic memorabilia, sawdust-strewn floors and wishbones left behind by fallen WWI soldiers.

From Fox News ● Mar. 17, 2022

Heizer, 70, is presenting a new exhibition at Gagosian that features three massive boulders suspended in steel frames and suite of “altars”: room-filling, inclined steel sculptures in the shapes of wishbones, barbells, boomerangs.

From The Guardian ● May 18, 2015

He searched for the familiar, for Miguel’s long arms, for Petey’s angry bee face, for Sean the giant, for a chorus line of wishbones, but if the Rudes were here, he couldn’t see them.

From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby