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

Lateef dealt with a swarm of attention last week after 22-game starter Dylan Raiola, the sophomore former five-star prospect, suffered a broken fibula in the second half of a 21-17 loss against USC. —Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025

Godwin has remained out due to his lingering fibula injury. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025

The rider was taken to a hospital, where he was being treated for an open fracture to his tibia-fibula and a fracture to his femur, the department stated. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025

Ivey, who missed most of last season with a broken fibula, will be out for a few weeks to start the season after undergoing surgery on his right knee. —Christian Romo, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025

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