labrum

noun

la·​brum ˈlā-brəm 

1

: an upper or anterior mouthpart of an arthropod consisting of a single median piece in front of or above the mandibles

2

: a ring of fibrous cartilage forming the margin of the shallow cavity of the upper part of the scapula by which the humerus articulates with the shoulder girdle

Examples of labrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The hard-throwing right-hander underwent surgery on the labrum in his right shoulder shortly after the 2024 World Series and hasn’t pitched in a game since. —Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026

The result was a low-grade labrum tear in her left shoulder. —Zak Keefer, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026

Kim tore her labrum in her left shoulder just a month before the Olympic Games in January after falling in a training session, but is competing. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026

And that dislocation tore the labrum, which is the tissue that surrounds the socket and attaches it to the bone. —Jenny McCoy, SELF, 10 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, lip, edge — more at lip

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for labrum

• candelabrum

Kids Definition

labrum

noun

la·​brum ˈlā-brəm 

: the upper mouthpart of an arthropod in front of or above the mandibles

Medical Definition

labrum

noun

la·​brum ˈlā-brəm 

plural labra -brə 

1

: an upper or anterior mouthpart of an arthropod consisting of a single median piece in front of or above the mandibles

2

: a fibrous ring of cartilage attached to the rim of a joint: as

a

: glenoid labrum

b

: acetabular labrum