humerus

play

noun hu·mer·us \ ˈhyü-mə-rəs \

Definition of humerus

plural humeri play \ˈhyü-mə-ˌrī, -ˌrē\

:the long bone of the upper arm or forelimb extending from the shoulder to the elbow

See humerus defined for English-language learners

See humerus defined for kids

Recent Examples of humerus from the Web

The humerus of one arm featured a lumpy calcified mass.

— jackson landers, Smithsonian, "Oldest Cancer Case In Central America Discovered," 30 May 2017
Marvin had three torn ligaments and additional damage in her right knee, a humerus broken in three places, and a soda-can-size hole in her arm where the bone had burst through.

— pat borzi, New York Times, "A Hockey Player, Once Shattered, Returns to the Ice," 24 Feb. 2017
Limited to just three innings at Double-A Chattanooga after an impressive stint in his first big-league camp, Burdi, 24, was diagnosed with a bruised humerus.

— mike berardino, Twin Cities, "Minnesota Twins: Nick Burdi changes arm slot in hopes of staying healthy," 31 Jan. 2017
In a photo included in a National Geographic News report, Soibelzon holds up the humerus – upper arm bone – of the bear next to that of an elephant, and the two are nearly equal in size.

— brian switek, WIRED, "Demythologizing Arctotherium, the Biggest Bear Ever," 16 Feb. 2011

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

Origin and Etymology of humerus

Middle English, from Latin humerus, umerus upper arm, shoulder; akin to Goth ams shoulder, Greek ōmos

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

HUMERUS Defined for English Language Learners

humerus

play

noun

Definition of humerus for English Language Learners

medical : the long bone of the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow

HUMERUS Defined for Kids

humerus

play

noun hu·mer·us \ ˈhyu̇-mə-rəs \

Definition of humerus for Students

plural humeri \-ˌrī, -ˌrē\

:the long bone of the upper arm or forelimb that extends from the shoulder to the elbow

Medical Dictionary

humerus

play

noun hu·mer·us \ ˈhyüm-(ə-)rəs \

medical Definition of humerus

plural humeri play \ˈhyü-mə-ˌrī, -ˌrē\

:the longest bone of the upper arm or forelimb extending from the shoulder to the elbow, articulating above by a rounded head with the glenoid cavity, having below a broad articular surface divided by a ridge into a medial pulley-shaped portion and a lateral rounded eminence that articulate with the ulna and radius respectively, and providing various processes and modified surfaces for the attachment of muscles