metatarsal

American  

[met-uh-tahr-suhl] / ˌmɛt əˈtɑr səl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the metatarsus, the part of the foot that includes the bones between the ankle and toes.

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noun

1. a bone in the metatarsus.

metatarsal British  

/ ˌmɛtəˈtɑːsəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the metatarsus

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noun

1. any bone of the metatarsus

metatarsal Scientific  

/ mĕt′ə-tär′səl /

1. Any of the bones of the feet in humans or the back feet in animals that are located between the tarsal bones and the phalanges.

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Other Word Forms

• intermetatarsal
  adjective
• metatarsally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of metatarsal

First recorded in 1730–40; meta- + tarsal

Example Sentences

For each species, the team used existing estimates of body weight along with measurements of the fourth metatarsal.

From Science Daily • Jan. 23, 2026

He flexes his metatarsal bones to indicate where he wants a subordinate to sit.

From Salon • Aug. 31, 2025

That does not mean there are not issues to be addressed, chief among them the status of Stokes' knee, which has become the most important bodily part in English sport since David Beckham's metatarsal.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2023

Ten Hag was speaking before Martinez was ruled out for the rest of the season with a fractured metatarsal bone in his foot.

From Washington Times • Apr. 14, 2023

He would disappear into that day, fractured fifth metatarsal and all.

From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker