calcaneus
noun
cal·ca·ne·us
kal-ˈkā-nē-əs 
plural calcanei
kal-ˈkā-nē-ˌī
: a tarsal bone that in humans is the large bone of the heel
Examples of calcaneus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This is especially true of the Achilles tendon which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone (calcaneus).
—
Catherine Moyer, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025
Heel spurs are painful outgrowths on the heel bone (calcaneus) that cause pain, inflammation, and swelling.
—Stuart Hershman, Verywell Health, 27 June 2023
The usual signs and symptoms include pain on the bottom of the heel, which could present as dull, sharp, or a burning ache, either directly below the calcaneus (heel bone) or toward the front of it.
—Outside Online, 17 June 2019
The medical literature back then had nothing on fractures of the calcaneus, or heel bone, even though those are the most common fractures of the foot.
—Breanna Draxler, National Geographic, 21 Aug. 2020
On my right side, the calcaneus—the heel—was broken into at least six pieces.
—Ula Chrobak, Outside Online, 9 May 2018
So, in space there’s a lot of bone degradation so there’s a lot of osteoporosis, especially in the calcaneus, the heel bone.
—Kristi Myllenbeck, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2017
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.
Catherine Moyer, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025
Heel spurs are painful outgrowths on the heel bone (calcaneus) that cause pain, inflammation, and swelling.
—Stuart Hershman, Verywell Health, 27 June 2023
The usual signs and symptoms include pain on the bottom of the heel, which could present as dull, sharp, or a burning ache, either directly below the calcaneus (heel bone) or toward the front of it.
—Outside Online, 17 June 2019
The medical literature back then had nothing on fractures of the calcaneus, or heel bone, even though those are the most common fractures of the foot.
—Breanna Draxler, National Geographic, 21 Aug. 2020
On my right side, the calcaneus—the heel—was broken into at least six pieces.
—Ula Chrobak, Outside Online, 9 May 2018
So, in space there’s a lot of bone degradation so there’s a lot of osteoporosis, especially in the calcaneus, the heel bone.
—Kristi Myllenbeck, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Calcaneus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calcaneus. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share