fibula
Americannoun
plural
fibulae, fibulas-
Anatomy. the outer and thinner of the two bones of the human leg, extending from the knee to the ankle.
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Zoology. a corresponding bone, often rudimentary or ankylosed with the tibia, of the leg or hind limb of an animal.
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a clasp or brooch, often ornamented, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
noun
-
the outer and thinner of the two bones between the knee and ankle of the human leg Compare tibia
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the corresponding bone in other vertebrates
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a metal brooch resembling a safety pin, often highly decorated, common in Europe after 1300 bc
plural
fibulae-
The smaller of the two bones of the lower leg or lower portion of the hind leg.
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See more at skeleton
Other Word Forms
- fibular adjective
Etymology
Origin of fibula
1665–75; < New Latin; Latin fībula bolt, pin, clasp, probably < *fīvibula, equivalent to fīv ( ere ), early form of fīgere to fasten, fix + -i- -i- + -bula suffix denoting instrument; the bone so called from its resemblance to the tongue of a clasp
Compare meaning
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Vocabulary lists containing fibula
Human Anatomy and Physiology - High School
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Human Anatomy and Physiology - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Tests carried out on Monday... confirmed that she suffered a fracture... of the fibula on the left ankle," Barcelona said in a statement.
From Barron's • Dec. 1, 2025
A statement from the Royal Spanish Football Federation said that "following tests carried out by the medical services" Bonmati was "diagnosed with a fracture in her left fibula".
From BBC • Nov. 30, 2025
Molden spent camp rehabbing from injuries, including a broken fibula and torn meniscus.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2025
He didn't know it at the time, but Tom, 37, had broken his fibula and badly damaged his ankle ligaments.
From BBC • Aug. 7, 2025
An infection spiked up and he was rushed to the emergency room downtown where a two-inch section of his tibia and fibula was removed.
From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
