labrum

noun

la·​brum ˈlā-brəm 

1

: an upper or anterior mouthpart of an arthropod consisting of a single median piece in front of or above the mandibles

2

: a ring of fibrous cartilage forming the margin of the shallow cavity of the upper part of the scapula by which the humerus articulates with the shoulder girdle

Examples of labrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tatis played through a torn labrum in his left shoulder in 2021, making his first All-Star game and leading the National League in home runs with 42 that season. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026

The 33-year-old tried to play through the injury before eventually undergoing surgery on the dislocation, a torn labrum, and a fracture in the shoulder. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026

Then Johnson suffered a torn labrum in her right shoulder in the middle of that summer. —Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

Walker had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. —Connor Riley, AJC.com, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, lip, edge — more at lip

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for labrum

• candelabrum

Kids Definition

labrum

noun

la·​brum ˈlā-brəm 

: the upper mouthpart of an arthropod in front of or above the mandibles

Medical Definition

labrum

noun

la·​brum ˈlā-brəm 

plural labra -brə 

1

: an upper or anterior mouthpart of an arthropod consisting of a single median piece in front of or above the mandibles

2

: a fibrous ring of cartilage attached to the rim of a joint: as

a

: glenoid labrum

b

: acetabular labrum