malleus

noun

mal·le·us ˈma-lē-əs

plural mallei ˈma-lē-ˌī

-lē-ˌē

: the outermost of a chain of three small bones of the mammalian middle ear

called also hammer

see ear illustration

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The stapes and malleus are tiny bones that transmit hearing through the inner ear. —

Christopher Linstrom, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2011 Another becomes the incus bone that connects the malleus to the stapes. —

David George Haskell, Wired, 8 Mar. 2022 The smallest bones are inside your ear, and they are known as the hammer (malleus), stirrup (stapes), and anvil (incus). —

Jason Bittel, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2019 The auditory ossicles of the middle ear – the malleus, incus and stapes – are the tiniest bones in the human body. —

Emily Matchar, Smithsonian, 18 Dec. 2017

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, hammer

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of malleus was in 1646

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Malleus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malleus. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

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Kids Definition

malleus

noun

mal·le·us ˈmal-ē-əs

plural mallei ˈmal-ē-ˌī

-ē-ˌē

: the outermost bone of the three small bones of the middle ear of a mammal

Medical Definition

malleus

noun

mal·le·us ˈmal-ē-əs

plural mallei -ē-ˌī

-ē-ˌē

: the outermost of the chain of three ossicles in the middle ear of a mammal consisting of a head, neck, short process, long process, and handle with the short process and handle being fastened to the tympanic membrane and the head articulating with the head of the incus

called also hammer