metatarsal

adjective

meta·tar·sal | \ ˌme-tə-ˈtär-səl

Definition of metatarsal

(Entry 1 of 2)

: of, relating to, or being the part of the human foot or of the hind foot in quadrupeds between the tarsus and the phalanges that in humans comprises five elongated bones which form the front of the instep and ball of the foot

metatarsal

noun

Definition of metatarsal (Entry 2 of 2)

: a metatarsal bone

Examples of metatarsal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

In the fourth toe, the metatarsal head was domed just like a modern human’s, but other aspects of the shape of the bone looked more ape-like. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "The road to bipedalism wasn’t straight and narrow," 15 Aug. 2018 The metatarsal bones run between the midfoot and the toes. — Mark Inabinett, AL.com, "Washington Redskins stock up on Alabama defenders," 29 Apr. 2018 The metatarsal bones run between the midfoot and the toes. — Mark Inabinett, AL.com, "Washington Redskins stock up on Alabama defenders," 29 Apr. 2018 The metatarsal bones run between the midfoot and the toes. — Mark Inabinett, AL.com, "Washington Redskins stock up on Alabama defenders," 29 Apr. 2018 The metatarsal bones run between the midfoot and the toes. — Mark Inabinett, AL.com, "Washington Redskins stock up on Alabama defenders," 29 Apr. 2018 The metatarsal bones run between the midfoot and the toes. — Mark Inabinett, AL.com, "Washington Redskins stock up on Alabama defenders," 29 Apr. 2018 The metatarsal bones run between the midfoot and the toes. — Mark Inabinett, AL.com, "Washington Redskins stock up on Alabama defenders," 29 Apr. 2018 The metatarsal bones run between the midfoot and the toes. — Mark Inabinett, AL.com, "Washington Redskins stock up on Alabama defenders," 29 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Its second, third, and fourth toes all had domed metatarsal heads that looked a lot more like those of modern humans than modern apes. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "The road to bipedalism wasn’t straight and narrow," 15 Aug. 2018 England’s quest for glory at the World Cup has often been stymied by an unreliable piece of human anatomy, such as Bryan Robson’s shoulder, David Beckham’s metatarsal and Wayne Rooney’s right foot. — SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 3 Days to Go - What if Gordon Banks Hadn’t Fallen Ill Before the Quarter Final?," 11 June 2018 After insertion, the Cartiva cartilage protrudes slightly from the metatarsal bone at the base of the big toe. — Laura Johannes, WSJ, "Synthetic Materials Can Replace Cartilage in Your Aching Joints," 16 Sep. 2018 And that high, rounded top at the head of the metatarsal gives the joint more range of motion, which makes that hyperextension more effective. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "The road to bipedalism wasn’t straight and narrow," 15 Aug. 2018 Wayne Rooney was recovering from a metatarsal problem in 2006 and was also below par at the tournament - his frustration later boiled over in the quarter final against Portugal. — SI.com, "England Fear for Harry Kane's World Cup Fitness After Rushed Injury Recovery," 2 May 2018 For Bayern, Heynckes will be without Manuel Neuer (metatarsal), Kingsley Coman (ligament) and David Alaba (back), while Arturo Vidal (knee) and Bernat (cut) are doubts for the game after picking up their injuries against Sevilla on Tuesday. — SI.com, "Bayern Munich Can Clinch Sixth Straight Bundesliga Title at Augsburg," 6 Apr. 2018 He was diagnosed with a fracture of the left first metatarsal — the same area that was bruised while on the road trip to the West Coast, but unrelated to the injury. — Maria Torres, kansascity, "Jakob Junis allows three homers for second start in a row as Royals lose to Astros," 15 June 2018 The Royals will be without Soler, who now owns crutches and can't skip off the field in victory, for at least the next six weeks because of a fractured left first metatarsal. — Maria Torres, kansascity, "'Opposite of what we drew up': Soler's fractured foot is the Royals' latest bad break," 16 June 2018

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