Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

periosteum

noun peri·os·te·um \ ˌper-ē-ˈä-stē-əm \

Definition of periosteum

plural periostea play \ˌper-ē-ˈä-stē-ə\
: the membrane of connective tissue that closely invests all bones except at the articular surfaces

See periosteum defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of periosteum

New Latin, from Late Latin periosteon, from Greek, neuter of periosteos around the bone, from peri- + osteon bone — more at osseous

Medical Dictionary

periosteum

noun peri·os·te·um \ -tē-əm \

medical Definition of periosteum

plural -tea play \-tē-ə\
: the membrane of connective tissue that closely invests all bones except at the articular surfaces

Illustration of periosteum

illustration of periosteum

Learn More about periosteum

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about periosteum

Seen and Heard

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

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

imperturbable

play

very hard to disturb or upset

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

periosteum

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games