humerus

noun

hu·​mer·​us ˈhyü-mə-rəs 

plural humeri ˈhyü-mə-ˌrī  -ˌrē 

: the long bone of the upper arm or forelimb extending from the shoulder to the elbow

Examples of humerus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers also found that at least four of the woman’s long bones – femur (or thigh bone), humerus from both upper arms and ulna from the forearm – were modified before she was laid to rest. —Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 9 June 2026

And there were subtle physiological differences, such as in its humerus. —Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 26 May 2026

Based on the dimensions of its humerus and femur, the corresponding hind leg bone, the researchers estimated Nagatitan’s body mass at 25 to 28 tons. —Reuters, NBC news, 15 May 2026

These included a molar and humerus shaft from NgLj-3; two molars, a premolar, and a temporal cranium bone from NgLj-2; and a sample taken from a left humerus found in 2018 at NgLj-1. —ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin humerus, umerus upper arm, shoulder; akin to Goth ams shoulder, Greek ōmos

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for humerus

• humorous
• numerous

Kids Definition

humerus

noun

hu·​mer·​us ˈhyüm-(ə-)rəs 

plural humeri ˈhyü-mə-ˌrī 

-ˌrē

: the long bone of the upper arm or forelimb that extends from the shoulder to the elbow

Medical Definition

humerus

noun

hu·​mer·​us ˈhyüm-(ə-)rəs 

plural humeri ˈhyü-mə-ˌrī  -ˌrē 

: the longest bone of the upper arm or forelimb extending from the shoulder to the elbow, articulating above by a rounded head with the glenoid cavity, having below a broad articular surface divided by a ridge into a medial pulley-shaped portion and a lateral rounded eminence that articulate with the ulna and radius respectively, and providing various processes and modified surfaces for the attachment of muscles