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

If Fries, who is still recovering from a fractured right tibia, doesn’t progress as well as Minnesota expects him to this summer, the Vikings also have another reliable option alongside Brandel. —Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025

Complicating the matter is Jose Siri’s fractured tibia. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025

Two stress fractures in his left tibia while winning the 2008 U.S. Open. —Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025

The meniscus is a crucial piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia), allowing for smooth movement and stability. —Jesse Pines, Forbes, 11 Mar. 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