floating rib

noun

: a rib (such as one of either of the last two pairs in humans) that has no attachment to the sternum compare false rib

Examples of floating rib in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Skin farther up the neck to remove the neck meat, if desired. Find the floating rib, between the back of the chest cavity and forward of the hip bone. —Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 20 Nov. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

floating rib

noun

: a rib (as one of the two bottom pairs in human beings) that has no attachment to the sternum

Medical Definition

floating rib

noun

: any rib in the last two pairs of human ribs that have no attachment to the sternum compare false rib