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

Jaden Ivey scored 12 points in his second game back after breaking his left fibula in January. —CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025

Head coach Dave Canales told reporters Tuesday that cornerback Corey Thornton broke his fibula — an injury that will require surgery. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Nov. 2025

Calvin Ridley broke his fibula and will miss the rest of the Tennessee Titans’ season. —Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 17 Nov. 2025

Losing Godwin is not that shocking, as his fibula injury continues to linger. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

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