fibula

noun

fib·​u·​la ˈfi-byə-lə How to pronounce fibula (audio)
plural fibulae ˈfi-byə-lē How to pronounce fibula (audio) -lī How to pronounce fibula (audio) or fibulas
1
: the outer and usually smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle in the hind or lower limbs of vertebrates
2
: a clasp resembling a safety pin used especially by the ancient Greeks and Romans
fibular
ˈfi-byə-lər How to pronounce fibula (audio)
adjective

Illustration of fibula

Illustration of fibula
  • fibula 2

Examples of fibula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The only Pistons rotation player unavailable against the Heat was Jaden Ivey, who is out for the rest of the season after fracturing his fibula in January. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025 After struggling with consistency and injuries – including a broken fibula by Collin Hiller a couple weeks ago against Capistrano Valley – the Trojans put a complete game together. — Martin Henderson, Orange County Register, 15 Mar. 2025 More news: Patriots Snag Elite Playmaker for Drake Maye in Latest Mock Draft Hunt rejoined the Chiefs in the 2024 season when Isiah Pacheco went down with a broken fibula. — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025 Fontenelle, a Los Angeles Angels infield prospect, had torn ligaments in his ankle, dislocated it as well, and fractured his fibula. — Sam Blum, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fibula

Word History

Etymology

Latin, pin, clasp; akin to Latin figere to fasten

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fibula was in 1578

Browse Nearby Words

fibula
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fibula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fibula. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

fibula

noun
fib·​u·​la ˈfib-yə-lə How to pronounce fibula (audio)
plural fibulae -ˌlē How to pronounce fibula (audio)
-ˌlī
 or fibulas
: the outer and usually the smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle of the hind or lower limb
fibular
-lər How to pronounce fibula (audio)
adjective

Medical Definition

fibula

noun
fib·​u·​la ˈfib-yə-lə How to pronounce fibula (audio)
plural fibulae
-lē also -ˌlī
 or fibulas
: the outer or postaxial and usually the smaller of the two bones of the hind or lower limb below the knee that is the slenderest bone of the human body in proportion to its length, articulates above with the external tuberosity of the tibia and below with the talus, and has its lower end forming the external malleolus of the ankle

called also calf bone

fibular
-lər How to pronounce fibula (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on fibula

Nglish: Translation of fibula for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fibula

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All