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
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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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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.
He had surgery on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture, sustained following a challenge by Micky van de Ven as he scored against Spurs in a 2-1 win on 20 December.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Isak is recovering from an operation on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture, which has wrecked his first season on Merseyside.
From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026
Unfortunately, Vigueras suffered a broken fibula this past weekend — playing club soccer.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 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
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.
