tarsus

noun

tar·​sus ˈtär-səs 

plural tarsi ˈtär-ˌsī  -ˌsē 

1

: the part of the foot of a vertebrate between the metatarsus and the leg

also : the small bones that support this part of the foot and include bones of the ankle, heel, and arch

2

: the tarsal plate of the eyelid

3

: the distal part of the limb of an arthropod

4

: the large compound bone of the lower leg of a bird that is formed by fusion of the metatarsals with the distal end of the tarsus

also : the segment of the limb it supports

Examples of tarsus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If a pigeon belongs to somebody, the owner puts a band on the pigeon’s tarsus (the lower leg, just above the foot) to claim and identify it. —Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 5 May 2025

It can be easily controlled to perform a gripping motion akin to an insect tarsus (i.e., wrapping around the object) for handling various objects. —IEEE Spectrum, 19 May 2023

The scientists measured the birds’ overall body size, body mass, wingspan and the length of a lower leg bone known as the tarsus, which shrank by 2.4 percent across species. —NBC News, 5 Dec. 2019

In particular, the length of the tarsus or lower leg bone, shrank by 2.4%. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 4 Dec. 2019

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek tarsos wickerwork mat, flat of the foot, ankle, edge of the eyelid; akin to Greek tersesthai to become dry — more at thirst

First Known Use

circa 1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tarsus

• parsis
• catharsis
• metatarsus

Kids Definition

tarsus

noun

tar·​sus ˈtär-səs 

plural tarsi -ˌsī 

-ˌsē

1

: the part of the foot of a vertebrate between the metatarsus and the leg

also : the small bones that support this part of the foot and include bones of the ankle, heel, and arch

2

: the lower and longest part of a bird's leg

3

: the part of the limb of an arthropod (as an insect) most distant from the body

Medical Definition

tarsus

noun

tar·​sus ˈtär-səs 

plural tarsi -ˌsī  -ˌsē 

1

: the part of the foot of a vertebrate between the metatarsus and the leg

also : the small bones supporting this part of the limb that include the three cuneiform bones and the cuboid in a distal row and the navicular, calcaneus, and talus in a proximal row

2

: tarsal plate

Geographical Definition

Tarsus

geographical name

Tar·​sus ˈtär-səs 

city in southern Turkey near the Cilician Gates population 187,508

Note: Tarsus was the capital of ancient Cilicia.