distal

adjective

dis·​tal ˈdi-stᵊl How to pronounce distal (audio)
1
anatomy : situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point especially of the body compare proximal
the distal ends of the tibia and fibula
2
dentistry : of, relating to, or being the surface of a tooth that is next to the tooth behind it or that is farthest from the middle of the front of the jaw compare mesial sense 2
distally
ˈdi-stᵊl-ē How to pronounce distal (audio)
adverb

Examples of distal 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.
The way the bone splintered is known as a distal humerus fracture. — Katheryn Houghton, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025 At this distal end, which forms your elbow joint with your radius and ulna, are two bony bumps, called epicondyles. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 That drop in core temperature is one of the body’s key signals for sleep onset — a process called distal vasodilation. — Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026 Examining the skeletons in the pit, Valenzuela found that most of the thrush bones were skulls, breastbones and distal bones of wings and legs. — Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for distal

Word History

Etymology

distant + -al

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of distal was in 1803

Phrases Containing distal

Rhymes for distal

See All Rhymes for distal

Browse Nearby Words

distain
distal
distal convoluted tubule
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Distal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distal. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

distal

adjective
dis·​tal ˈdis-tᵊl How to pronounce distal (audio)
1
: situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point: as
a
: located away from the center of the body
the distal end of a bone
compare proximal sense 1a
b
: located away from the mesial plane of the body compare mesial sense 2
c
: of, relating to, or being the surface of a tooth that is next to the following tooth counting from the middle of the front of the upper or lower jaw or that faces the back of the mouth in the case of the last tooth on each side compare mesial sense 3, proximal sense 1b
2
: physical or social rather than sensory compare proximal sense 2
distally
-ē How to pronounce distal (audio)
adverb
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