tibia

noun

tib·​ia ˈti-bē-ə How to pronounce tibia (audio)
plural tibiae ˈti-bē-ˌē How to pronounce tibia (audio) -bē-ˌī How to pronounce tibia (audio) 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 How to pronounce tibia (audio)
adjective

Examples of tibia 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.
Bombito is returning from a fractured tibia. — ABC News, 5 June 2026 With a bobbing of trochanter and femur, with a shake of tibia and tarsal, her claws strum the tiny drops of cloud beginning to settle on the mountain. — María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026 Koné will continue recovering from his fractured tibia and fibula. — Jaclyn Hendricks, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 Compound movements like squats, deadlifts, rows and lunges place exactly the right kind of stress on the hip, spine and tibia, the sites most vulnerable to fracture. — Allison Palmer updated June 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tibia

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tibia was circa 1706

Rhymes for tibia

See All Rhymes for tibia

Browse Nearby Words

tibey
tibia
Tibia Clausa
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

tibia

noun
tib·​ia ˈtib-ē-ə How to pronounce tibia (audio)
plural tibiae -ē-ˌē How to pronounce tibia (audio)
-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 How to pronounce tibia (audio)
adjective

Medical Definition

tibia

noun
tib·​ia ˈtib-ē-ə How to pronounce tibia (audio)
plural tibiae -ē-ˌē How to pronounce tibia (audio) -ē-ˌī How to pronounce tibia (audio) 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

More from Merriam-Webster on tibia

Nglish: Translation of tibia for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tibia

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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