fibula

noun

fib·​u·​la ˈfi-byə-lə 

plural fibulae ˈfi-byə-lē  -lī  or fibulas

1

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

2

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

fibular

ˈfi-byə-lər 

adjective

Illustration of fibula

• fibula 2

Examples of fibula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Catch up quick: Detroit's injury woes started with Aidan Hutchinson fracturing his tibia and fibula in Week 6 and have steadily progressed throughout the season. —Joe Guillen, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024

The Lions started to get hurt on defense when edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson went down with a broken leg (tibia and fibula) in Week 6 and has been out since. —Steve Silverman, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

More News: New York Giants Fans Fly Sign Over MetLife Stadium Asking Ownership to 'Fix This Dumpster Fire' Hutchinson, 24, suffered a broken tibia and fibula in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024

In October, star defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson fractured his left tibia and fibula. —Chantz Martin, Fox News, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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