metacarpal

1 of 2

adjective

meta·​car·​pal ˌme-tə-ˈkär-pəl How to pronounce metacarpal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being the metacarpus or a metacarpal

metacarpal

2 of 2

noun

: a bone of the part of the hand or forefoot between the carpus and the phalanges that typically contains five more or less elongated bones when all the digits are present

Examples of metacarpal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Across town, the Highlands Ranch Metro District runs leagues of its own — ones with fewer chances for metacarpal distress. — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026 Merely two hours after the game it was announced that Barnes had suffered a fracture to his third metacarpal bone in his left hand and is now out indefinitely. — Esfandiar Baraheni, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
Noun
Imaging done that night revealed a fracture near the fourth metacarpal. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 Curry played in five games after surgery to repair a broken second metacarpal. — Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for metacarpal

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1739, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of metacarpal was in 1739

Rhymes for metacarpal

See All Rhymes for metacarpal

Browse Nearby Words

Metacanthocephala
metacarpal
metacarpale
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Metacarpal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metacarpal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

metacarpal

1 of 2 adjective
meta·​car·​pal ˌmet-ə-ˈkär-pəl How to pronounce metacarpal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being the part of the hand or front foot or a bone of this part that is between the carpal bones and the bones of the fingers or toes

metacarpal

2 of 2 noun
: a metacarpal bone

Medical Definition

metacarpal

1 of 2 adjective
meta·​car·​pal ˌmet-ə-ˈkär-pəl How to pronounce metacarpal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being the metacarpus or a metacarpal

metacarpal

2 of 2 noun
: any bone of the metacarpus of the human hand or the front foot in quadrupeds

More from Merriam-Webster on metacarpal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about metacarpal

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