1. the framework of bones in a human or animal body
2. a very thin person
3. the basic framework or structure of something

1. having only the basic or essential elements

Examples

• The museum displayed a complete dinosaur skeleton.
• After months of illness, he looked like a skeleton.
• They built the skeleton of the house first.
• She provided just a skeleton outline of her proposal.
• The company operated with a skeleton crew during the holiday.
• The skeleton key opened all the doors in the old mansion.
• Medical students study the human skeleton in anatomy class.