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

The reason for Rivers’ reunion in Indy surrounds the loss of Daniel Jones, who suffered a torn Achilles after trying to play through a broken fibula. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Dec. 2025

Jones is playing on a fractured fibula again in Week 14 against a divisional opponent battling for the AFC South lead. —Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025

His fantasy value has declined in four consecutive games, and Jones doesn’t project well as a runner due to a fractured fibula. —Shawn Childs, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

Quarterback Daniel Jones is still battling through a fractured fibula but plans to play. —Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 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