skeleton

noun

ˈske-lə-tən How to pronounce skeleton (audio)
Definition of skeletonnext
as in structure
the arrangement of parts that gives something its basic form Native Americans covered the skeletons of their wigwams with bark, rush mats, or hides

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of skeleton The grave contained no grave goods — objects buried alongside the dead — but archaeologists were able to estimate its age based on the skeleton's crouched position and the grave's relationship to the nearby settlement and one of its houses. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Its hexagonal skeleton evokes a tortoiseshell, a symbol of longevity and good luck in Japanese culture. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026 Think tombstones, solid skeletons, signs or other decorations that hold their shape and don’t have loose or dangling parts. — Katie Koschalk, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026 One Southern California town is even encouraging residents to secure hallowed decorations—the giant skeleton and inflatable pumpkins haunting front lawns. — Simmone Shah, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skeleton
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skeleton
  1. structure
  2. framework
  3. architecture
Noun
  • By adjusting the distance between the tips, the team could stretch or compress the molecular structure, changing the voltage at which the current enhancement began.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The company describes its structure as an inverted pyramid, with store workers at the top.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of structure
Noun
  • The parties agreed to a framework for an agreement in May that required everyone who filed a claim to sign off.
    — John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Models reveal substantially higher PFAS estimates To investigate the missing concentrations, the researchers developed a statistical framework that accounts for results below laboratory reporting limits.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of framework
Noun
  • The winning architecture is a stack of narrow intelligences pointed at what each one is good at, coordinated through a harness that knows which one to use when.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • With its combination of clean, minimalist design and travertine details that reference Roman architecture, the space aims to convey that dialogue between the brand and the city.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of architecture

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Cite this Entry

“Skeleton.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skeleton. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on skeleton

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about skeleton

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