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

He had been activated from PUP only a day earlier after a lengthy recovery from a fractured fibula. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Before beginning chemotherapy, Page underwent surgery on May 15, 2025, during which doctors removed approximately five inches of his fibula surrounding the tumor. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

Holmes, who has been sidelined since mid-May due to a right fibula fracture, built up to 73 pitches in his third rehab outing Sunday. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026

But after missing more than two months with a broken fibula, Holmes is working toward his late-season return, making his contract situation one of the organization's biggest storylines. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

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