meta·tar·sal
ˌme-tə-ˈtär-səl 
: 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
: a metatarsal bone
Examples of metatarsal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Oct. 2023
Using toe spacers or metatarsal pads may also alleviate discomfort.
—Sarah Fielding, Health, 3 July 2023
In the foot, these commonly occur as a result of weakness in the ligaments supporting the arch, causing the metatarsal bone to cause excess friction and then a callus -- most commonly on the second metatarsal bone in the foot.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 13 Apr. 2023
Built on a last derived from TXS with 15-millimeter of metatarsal circumference and a 10-millimeter forefoot height, La Sportiva’s TX Hike Mid GTX Hiking Boot will resonate with wide-footed hikers.
—Nathan Borchelt, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2023
The Texas State lab took a sample from the metatarsal bone in the foot and dispatched it to the lab used by the Argentine group for comparison with the family reference samples on file.
—Ananda Rose, Scientific American, 1 June 2015
Wide-footed runners might chafe at the overlays, which wrap directly over the metatarsal bones, while those with narrow feet will be cranking hard on the laces.
—Justin Nyberg, Outside Online, 14 May 2015
In daily life, wear a wider, high-cushion shoe with a rockered sole to remove some of the impact and stress to the metatarsal bones and joints.
—Outside Online, 17 June 2019
Their metatarsal bones were bunched together rather than splayed out.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 5 Oct. 2010
Genevieve Gyulavary Dpt, Outside Online, 9 Apr. 2023
The veteran receiver fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot in the team’s first padded practice of training camp and underwent surgery.
—Dallas News, 5 Sep. 2022
And for added comfort, these sneakers come with a removable anatomical insole, which helps support the arch and cushion the foot, protecting the metatarsal and heels by reducing pain, callus build-up, and pressure, says Dr. Yau.
—April Benshosan, Health, 5 May 2023
Washington underwent surgery to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal on his right foot in August, removing a veteran receiving option from a team that was already working to replace Amari Cooper’s production.
—Dallas News, 2 Nov. 2022
The 25-year-old fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot on the final pitch of his start in Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.
—Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2023
The 25-year-old, who has a 4.63 ERA in 11⅔ innings this season, received multiple opinions from foot specialists about the fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
—Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 14 Apr. 2023
Hardaway underwent surgery to repair the fracture to his fifth metatarsal in his left foot Tuesday in Indianapolis, and he was cleared to fly back to Dallas on Wednesday.
—Dallas News, 2 Feb. 2022
An X-ray revealed a fractured second metatarsal in my left foot.
—James Lucas, Outside Online, 31 Mar. 2017
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Adjective
Providing both arch and metatarsal support, the insole is made of premium polyurethane bottom and a wool lining, to truly cradle your foot in warmth and support.
—Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Oct. 2023
Using toe spacers or metatarsal pads may also alleviate discomfort.
—Sarah Fielding, Health, 3 July 2023
In the foot, these commonly occur as a result of weakness in the ligaments supporting the arch, causing the metatarsal bone to cause excess friction and then a callus -- most commonly on the second metatarsal bone in the foot.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 13 Apr. 2023
Built on a last derived from TXS with 15-millimeter of metatarsal circumference and a 10-millimeter forefoot height, La Sportiva’s TX Hike Mid GTX Hiking Boot will resonate with wide-footed hikers.
—Nathan Borchelt, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2023
The Texas State lab took a sample from the metatarsal bone in the foot and dispatched it to the lab used by the Argentine group for comparison with the family reference samples on file.
—Ananda Rose, Scientific American, 1 June 2015
Wide-footed runners might chafe at the overlays, which wrap directly over the metatarsal bones, while those with narrow feet will be cranking hard on the laces.
—Justin Nyberg, Outside Online, 14 May 2015
In daily life, wear a wider, high-cushion shoe with a rockered sole to remove some of the impact and stress to the metatarsal bones and joints.
—Outside Online, 17 June 2019
Their metatarsal bones were bunched together rather than splayed out.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 5 Oct. 2010
Noun
Certain exercises can strengthen the little muscles of your feet (your foot intrinsics) and increase mobility among your metatarsals, a critical group of bones in your feet.
—Genevieve Gyulavary Dpt, Outside Online, 9 Apr. 2023
The veteran receiver fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot in the team’s first padded practice of training camp and underwent surgery.
—Dallas News, 5 Sep. 2022
And for added comfort, these sneakers come with a removable anatomical insole, which helps support the arch and cushion the foot, protecting the metatarsal and heels by reducing pain, callus build-up, and pressure, says Dr. Yau.
—April Benshosan, Health, 5 May 2023
Washington underwent surgery to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal on his right foot in August, removing a veteran receiving option from a team that was already working to replace Amari Cooper’s production.
—Dallas News, 2 Nov. 2022
The 25-year-old fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot on the final pitch of his start in Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.
—Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2023
The 25-year-old, who has a 4.63 ERA in 11⅔ innings this season, received multiple opinions from foot specialists about the fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
—Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 14 Apr. 2023
Hardaway underwent surgery to repair the fracture to his fifth metatarsal in his left foot Tuesday in Indianapolis, and he was cleared to fly back to Dallas on Wednesday.
—Dallas News, 2 Feb. 2022
An X-ray revealed a fractured second metatarsal in my left foot.
—James Lucas, Outside Online, 31 Mar. 2017
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'metatarsal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near metatarsal
Cite this Entry
“Metatarsal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metatarsal. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
metatarsal
1 of 2 adjective
meta·tar·sal
ˌmet-ə-ˈtär-səl
: of, relating to, or being the part of the foot in human beings or of the hind foot in a four-footed animal that is located between the tarsal bones and the toes
metatarsal
2 of 2 noun
: any of the metatarsal bones of which there are five in human beings
Medical Definition
metatarsal
1 of 2 adjective
meta·tar·sal
ˌmet-ə-ˈtär-səl
: 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
2 of 2 noun
: a metatarsal bone
More from Merriam-Webster on metatarsal
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about metatarsal
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