wishbone

noun

wish·​bone ˈwish-ˌbōn 

1

: a forked bone in front of the breastbone in a bird consisting chiefly of the two clavicles fused at their median or lower end

2

: a variation of the T formation in which the halfbacks line up farther from the line of scrimmage than the fullback does

Illustration of wishbone

• W wishbone 1

Examples of wishbone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To find something vintage or in line with your father’s interests, like an Edwardian wishbone or Victorian tennis brooch, try perusing 1stDibs or eBay. —Ella Riley-Adams Jamie Sims Alice Newell-Hanson Jameson Montgomery Jameson Montgomery Caitie Kelly MacKenzie Oster, New York Times, 6 June 2024

In this dining room, wooden wishbone chairs encircle a matching midcentury-style table. —Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2024

Instead of an independent double wishbone front suspension design—using two arms to connect each wheel to the chassis—the R2 uses a strut. —Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 12 Mar. 2024

The Dodgers: For making my year and (again) choking before chewing on the wishbone. —Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

from the superstition that when two persons pull it apart the one getting the longer fragment will have a wish granted

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wishbone

noun

wish·​bone ˈwish-ˌbōn 

: a bone in front of a bird's breastbone that is shaped like a V and consists chiefly of two fused clavicles