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skull and crossbones
noun
plural skulls and crossbones
: a representation of a human skull over crossbones usually used as a warning of danger to life
Examples of skull and crossbones in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Stokes, who has long hair and glasses, giving him the look of a scientific David Foster Wallace, decorated his office with a poster of a skull and crossbones.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
Lola fashioned a pair of baggy light blue jeans with a worn leather jacket and a shirt featuring a skull and crossbones.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 18 June 2024
And its best mariners will continue to fly the skull and crossbones.
—Michael Lyon Baker, Foreign Affairs, 4 Oct. 2010
The ultimate prop was the pirate flag, which could be decorated with a skull and crossbones (as in the classic Jolly Roger design), bleeding hearts, hourglasses, spears, cutlasses and skeletons.
—Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for skull and crossbones
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skull and crossbones.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1826, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of skull and crossbones was
in 1826
Dictionary Entries Near skull and crossbones
Cite this Entry
“Skull and crossbones.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skull%20and%20crossbones. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
skull and crossbones
noun
skull and cross·bones
-ˈkrȯs-ˌbōnz
plural skulls and crossbones
: a representation of a human skull over crossbones used as a warning of danger to life
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