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noun

wishbone

WIHSH-bohn

Wishbone (noun) means the forked bone found in a bird's breast, traditionally pulled apart by two people with the larger piece said to bring luck. Example: “After the turkey dinner, the kids fought over the wishbone.”

noun
1
The forked bone found in a bird's breast, traditionally pulled apart by two people with the larger piece said to bring luck.
"After the turkey dinner, the kids fought over the wishbone."
"Whoever gets the bigger half of the wishbone gets to make a wish."

How to use wishbone

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe forked chicken or turkey bone people break for luck.

Common pairings
break the wishbone pull the wishbone the turkey's wishbone

Word forms

wishboned past tense, wishbones plural, wishbones singular

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After the turkey dinner, the kids fought over the _____.

Etymology

From wish plus bone, named for the tradition of making a wish while snapping it.

wishing bone

Rhymes for wishbone

See all rhymes for wishbone →

Frequently asked questions

What does “wishbone” mean?

The word “wishbone” means the forked bone found in a bird's breast, traditionally pulled apart by two people with the larger piece said to bring luck. In plain terms, the forked chicken or turkey bone people break for luck.

How do you pronounce “wishbone”?

“Wishbone” is pronounced WIHSH-bohn (/ˈwɪʃˌboʊn/ in IPA).

How do you use “wishbone” in a sentence?

Here is “wishbone” used in a sentence: “After the turkey dinner, the kids fought over the wishbone.”

What part of speech is “wishbone”?

“Wishbone” is a noun.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial