fibula

noun fib·u·la \ ˈfi-byə-lə \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of fibula

plural fibulae play \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

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fibular

play \ˈfi-byə-lər\ adjective

See fibula defined for English-language learners

See fibula defined for kids

Recent Examples of fibula from the Web

According to online medical references, such surgery is done if ligament damage keeps the tibia and fibula too far apart.

— les bowen, Philly.com, "Brandon Graham joins list of Eagles recovering from surgery," 17 May 2018
Many also pointed out that Demi has fallen on stage several times and even once broke her fibula.

— melissa minton, Teen Vogue, "Demi Lovato Fractured Her Foot While Walking Down Stairs in Bali," 3 May 2018
The dual-sport player was on a kickoff return when an Apopka player’s helmet connected with his left leg, breaking his tibia and fibula.

— haleigh rowland, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Timber Creek’s Parker Smith takes his licks, comes out slugging," 1 May 2018
Wingnut went down awkwardly, and a crack could be heard in every part of the arena: Wingnut’s left tibia and fibula.

— rich cohen, The Atlantic, "The Mobster Who Bought His Son a Hockey Team," 14 Apr. 2018
After nearly playing as a true freshman out of Lemont High School in Illinois, Christopherson tore numerous ligaments in his left ankle in the fall and broke parts of his tibia and fibula.

— alex schiffer, kansascity, "You know Albert Okwuegbunam, but these tight ends could emerge for Missouri | The Kansas City Star," 14 Apr. 2018
The Mavericks will be without Jose Barea (rib), Harrison Barnes (rest), Wesley Matthews (fibula), Dirk Nowitzki (ankle), while Doug McDermott (elbow) and Dennis Smith Jr. (knee) are questionable.

— scott bordow, azcentral, "Game Day: Phoenix Suns short-handed for final game of season vs. Dallas Mavericks," 10 Apr. 2018
Raikkonen ended his race a few hundred feet up the pit lane, Cigarini went to hospital with a fractured shinbone and fibula, and Ferrari earned a $61,576 (€50,000) fine for an unsafe release.

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "Formula 1 on ESPN sees massive improvement; IndyCar thrilled in Phoenix," 9 Apr. 2018
The wide receiver suffered an ankle fracture dislocation with a broken fibula and syndesmotic ligament tear in Week 5.

— profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Top offseason medical issues for every NFC team," 27 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fibula.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of fibula

Origin and Etymology of fibula

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1578

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

FIBULA Defined for English Language Learners

fibula

noun

Definition of fibula for English Language Learners

medical : the outer one of the two bones below the knee in a person's leg

FIBULA Defined for Kids

fibula

noun fib·u·la \ ˈfi-byə-lə \

Definition of fibula for Students

plural fibulae \-ˌlē, -ˌlī\ or fibulas

: the outer and smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle

Medical Dictionary

fibula

noun fib·u·la \ ˈfib-yə-lə \

medical Definition of fibula

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

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