fibula

noun

fib·​u·​la ˈfi-byə-lə 

plural fibulae ˈfi-byə-lē 

-lī

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 

adjective

Illustration of fibula

• fibula 2

Examples of fibula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fractures tend to happen in the fibula or tibia bones in your lower leg, making walking on the affected leg painful. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 7 July 2024

Bella's X-rays revealed the mystery: Two femurs, two tibias, two fibulas and nine toes. —James Powel, USA TODAY, 2 May 2024

The hip-drop tackle became more of a conversation around the league last season when Ravens tight end Mark Andrews cracked his fibula and suffered ankle ligament damage in a game against the Bengals last November. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2024

But when star Walt Williams broke the fibula in his left leg midway through the 1990-91 season, McLinton didn’t shy away from that responsibility. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fibula

noun

fib·​u·​la ˈfib-yə-lə 

plural fibulae -ˌlē 

-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 

adjective

Medical Definition

fibula

noun

fib·​u·​la ˈfib-yə-lə 

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 

adjective