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
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.
Albie-Junior Thomas, from Holywell in Flintshire, was born without a fibula in his left leg and had his foot removed at 15-months-old.
From BBC • May 13, 2026
"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
When Loyola High defensive lineman Andrew Hilton broke his fibula and suffered ligament damage to his ankle during the opening week of football practice last August, things looked bleak.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2025
It fell on her, breaking her tibia and fibula – bones in her lower leg.
From BBC • Sep. 11, 2025
The fibula of Booth’s lower left leg, a thin bone that is not intended to bear weight, snaps just above his ankle.
From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly
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.
