tibia

noun

tib·​ia ˈti-bē-ə 

plural tibiae ˈti-bē-ˌē  -bē-ˌī  also tibias

1

: the inner and usually larger of the two bones of the vertebrate hind or lower limb between the knee and ankle

2

: the fourth joint of the leg of an insect between the femur and tarsus

tibial

ˈti-bē-əl 

adjective

Examples of tibia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Technically, the shin is a bone called the tibia, which extends from below your knee to the ankle. —Jenny McCoy, SELF, 3 Sep. 2025

The boy had suffered many injuries that included an arterial bleed in his right wrist and calf wounds that made his tibia and fibula visible, according to Fox News. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025

The star pass rusher was wreaking havoc on the NFL last season before fracturing his tibia and fibula in Week 6. —Austin Mock, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025

Center fielder Jose Siri (fractured tibia) has resumed baseball activities after a setback in his rehab, and could start playing in minor league games as soon as next week. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tibia

• amphibia
• tibiae

Kids Definition

tibia

noun

tib·​ia ˈtib-ē-ə 

plural tibiae -ē-ˌē 

-ē-ˌī

also tibias

1

: the inner and usually larger of the two bones of the vertebrate leg that is located between the knee and the ankle

called also shinbone

2

: the fourth joint of the leg of an insect between the femur and the tarsus

tibial

-ē-əl 

adjective

Medical Definition

tibia

noun

tib·​ia ˈtib-ē-ə 

plural tibiae -ē-ˌē  -ē-ˌī  also tibias

: the inner and usually larger of the two bones of the leg between the knee and ankle that articulates above with the femur and below with the talus

called also shinbone