fibula

noun

fib·​u·​la ˈfi-byə-lə 

plural fibulae ˈfi-byə-lē  -lī  or fibulas

1

: the outer and usually smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle in the hind or lower limbs of vertebrates

2

: a clasp resembling a safety pin used especially by the ancient Greeks and Romans

fibular

ˈfi-byə-lər 

adjective

Illustration of fibula

• fibula 2

Examples of fibula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Center Tomas Nosek, who missed Florida’s first 60 games because of knee surgery at the end of the offseason, broke his fibula late in the Panthers’ 3-2 win over the New York Rangers on Monday. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026

Tingley broke both the tibia and fibula in his left leg and the original timeline was not promising. —Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

During the Bronze Age, these clasps were called fibulas, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026

In Week 12, Jones fractured his left fibula. —Daniel Popper, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, pin, clasp; akin to Latin figere to fasten

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fibula

noun

fib·​u·​la ˈfib-yə-lə 

plural fibulae -ˌlē 

-ˌlī

or fibulas

: the outer and usually the smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle of the hind or lower limb

fibular

-lər 

adjective

Medical Definition

fibula

noun

fib·​u·​la ˈfib-yə-lə 

plural fibulae

-lē also -ˌlī

or fibulas

: the outer or postaxial and usually the smaller of the two bones of the hind or lower limb below the knee that is the slenderest bone of the human body in proportion to its length, articulates above with the external tuberosity of the tibia and below with the talus, and has its lower end forming the external malleolus of the ankle

called also calf bone

fibular

-lər 

adjective