# collarbone

/ˈkɑɫɝˌboʊn/ (US) · /kˈɒləbˌəʊn/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/collarbone
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

the long, thin bone that runs across the top of your chest, just below your neck. It connects your shoulder to your body.

For teachers: the S-shaped bone that connects the shoulder to the sternum, forming the front part of the ribcage. It is a common site for fractures in sports or falls.

## Examples

- She wore a low-cut shirt to show off her collarbone.
- The athlete suffered a minor fracture to his collarbone after a collision during the final race.
- In many mammals, the collarbone is vestigial or entirely absent, allowing for greater range of motion in the forelimbs, whereas in humans it provides structural support for the shoulder girdle.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.