humerus

noun

hu·​mer·​us ˈhyü-mə-rəs 

plural humeri ˈhyü-mə-ˌrī  -ˌrē 

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

Examples of humerus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That impact drove the ball of the humerus (upper arm bone) out of the shoulder socket. — Jenny McCoy, SELF, 10 Feb. 2026

Officer Nik Anderson was struck in the arm, shattering his humerus bone. — Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026

And there were subtle physiological differences, such as in its humerus. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 26 May 2026

The researchers also found that at least four of the woman’s long bones – femur (or thigh bone), humerus from both upper arms and ulna from the forearm – were modified before she was laid to rest. — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for humerus

• humorous
• numerous

Kids Definition

humerus

noun

hu·​mer·​us ˈhyüm-(ə-)rəs 

plural humeri ˈhyü-mə-ˌrī 

-ˌrē

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

Medical Definition

humerus

noun

hu·​mer·​us ˈhyüm-(ə-)rəs 

plural humeri 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