fibula

noun

fib·u·la ˈfi-byə-lə

plural fibulae ˈfi-byə-lē -lī or fibulas

: the outer and usually smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle in the hind or lower limbs of vertebrates

: a clasp resembling a safety pin used especially by the ancient Greeks and Romans

fibular

ˈfi-byə-lər

adjective

Examples of fibula 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.

Thunder star Jalen Williams, the team’s second-leading scorer and best all-around defender during its title run two seasons ago, fractured a fibula and dislocated his left ankle in a gruesome injury Sunday. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026 The veteran has a fractured fibula as well as an injury to his ankle. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026 Right tackle Joe Alt (neck) and left guard Kayode Awosika (fibula) remain out, meaning rookie center Jake Slaughter will continue to anchor a front that has featured several inexperienced players over the last two games. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 According to police paperwork, the victim, Josh Mascara, said he was hit with a baseball bat about 20 times and has a broken fibula. — Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fibula

Word History

Etymology

Latin, pin, clasp; akin to Latin figere to fasten

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of fibula was in 1578

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

fibster

fibula

fibular

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Fibula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fibula. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fibula

noun

fib·u·la ˈfib-yə-lə

plural fibulae -ˌlē

-ˌlī

or fibulas

: the outer and usually the smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle of the hind or lower limb

fibular

-lər

adjective

Medical Definition

fibula

noun

fib·u·la ˈfib-yə-lə

plural fibulae

-lē also -ˌlī

or fibulas

: the outer or postaxial and usually the smaller of the two bones of the hind or lower limb below the knee that is the slenderest bone of the human body in proportion to its length, articulates above with the external tuberosity of the tibia and below with the talus, and has its lower end forming the external malleolus of the ankle

called also calf bone

fibular

-lər

adjective

fibula

noun

Illustration of fibula

Examples of fibula in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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