meniscus

noun me·nis·cus \ mə-ˈnis-kəs \

Definition of meniscus

plural menisci play \-ˈni-ˌskī, -ˌskē, -ˌsī\ also meniscuses

1 :a crescent or crescent-shaped body

2 :a concavo-convex lens

3 :the curved upper surface of a column of liquid

4 :a fibrous cartilage within a joint especially of the knee

See meniscus defined for kids

Recent Examples of meniscus from the Web

Rose had arthroscopic surgery for a meniscus tear at season's end and doctors predicted a full recovery.

— bud shaw, cleveland.com, "Derrick Rose can help but don't expect too much -- Bud Shaw's Spinoffs," 25 July 2017
Rose, 28, averaged 18 points and 4.4 assists in 64 games for the New York Knicks before suffering a season-ending meniscus tear last year, another knee issue in a career limited by knee injuries.

— molly blue, OregonLive.com, "NBA trade rumors: Derrick Rose to meet with Cleveland Cavaliers," 21 July 2017
During the fourth of those workouts, though, Walker tore the meniscus in his right knee.

— christy cabrera chirinos, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Larrañaga hopeful injured guard Lonnie Walker will be available for opener," 17 July 2017
Walker, a 6-4 shooting guard from Reading, Pa., tore the meniscus in his right knee on the final possession of practice last Tuesday.

— michelle kaufman, miamiherald, "Lonnie Walker expected for UM basketball opener following knee surgery," 17 July 2017
The operation, done with tiny incisions through a scope, revealed a shredded meniscus, the cartilage-like disc that acts like a cushion between the bones of the knee joint.

— jane e. brody, idahostatesman, "Arthroscopic procedures on knees may just be delaying the inevitable," 16 July 2017
Philon tore his meniscus during the playoffs of his senior year with the Wolves.

— mark heim, AL.com, "Chargers' Darius Philon sets record straight on Alabama, Arkansas and National Signing Day," 27 June 2017
Junior right-hander Emma Maple pitched on suspected torn meniscus in her left knee.

— michael osipoff, Post-Tribune, "Kankakee Valley has grit, but New Palestine has hits in 3A state final," 10 June 2017
Two physicians agreed that her torn meniscus would require surgery and an inevitable five-month recuperation and rehabilitation period.

— randy sachs, star-telegram.com, "Injury becomes teacher for Mansfield softball pitcher," 9 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of meniscus

New Latin, from Greek mēniskos, from diminutive of mēnē moon, crescent — more at moon

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1685

See Words from the same year

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

Medical Dictionary

meniscus

noun me·nis·cus \ mə-ˈnis-kəs \

medical Definition of meniscus

plural menisci play \-ˈnis-ˌ(k)ī, -ˌkē\ also meniscuses

1 :a crescent or crescent-shaped body

2 :a fibrous cartilage within a joint:

a :either of two crescent-shaped lamellae of fibrocartilage that border and partly cover the articulating surfaces of the tibia and femur at the knee :semilunar cartilage:

(1) :one mostly between the lateral condyles of the tibia and femur — called also external semilunar fibrocartilage, lateral meniscus, lateral semilunar cartilage

(2) :one mostly between the medial condyles of the tibia and femur — called also internal semilunar fibrocartilage, medial meniscus, medial semilunar cartilage

b :a thin oval ligament of the temporomandibular joint that is situated between the condyle of the mandible and the mandibular fossa and separates the joint into two cavities

3 :a concavo-convex lens

4 :the curved upper surface of a liquid column that is concave when the containing walls are wetted by the liquid and convex when not

Learn More about meniscus

See words that rhyme with meniscus Nglish: Translation of meniscus for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up meniscus? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

meniscus

Definition of meniscus

Recent Examples of meniscus from the Web

Origin and Etymology of meniscus

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

Medical Dictionary

meniscus

medical Definition of meniscus

Learn More about meniscus

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

burke

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

I'll Have the Us(ual)

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

True or False?

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066

meniscus

Definition of meniscus

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Recent Examples of meniscus from the Web

Origin and Etymology of meniscus

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

Medical Dictionary

meniscus

medical Definition of meniscus

Learn More about meniscus

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066