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

During the 1970s, San Fernando High football coach Bill Marsh created something scarier than Frankenstein: the wishbone offense.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

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

Thompson, one of masters of Barry Switzer’s wishbone offense, led the second-ranked Sooners to a 17-7 win at No. 1 Nebraska back in 1987 in what was dubbed the “Game of the Century II.”

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 15, 2022

In half an hour the fronts of the two lines met, and we hungry wishbone people of Kilanga completed our circle around the hill.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

"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

All five of them were short and bow-legged, making them look like a chorus line of wishbones.

From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby