metatarsal

1 of 2

adjective

meta·​tar·​sal ˌme-tə-ˈtär-səl How to pronounce metatarsal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being the part of the human foot or of the hind foot in quadrupeds between the tarsus and the phalanges that in humans comprises five elongated bones which form the front of the instep and ball of the foot

metatarsal

2 of 2

noun

: a metatarsal bone

Examples of metatarsal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Manager Dave Roberts said the right-hander suffered a metatarsal injury and won't be ready for the start of the regular season. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 That’s why the most common locations for stress reactions are in the bones of the feet, such as the calcaneus, fifth metatarsal, sesamoid, talar neck and tarsal navicular, and in the bones of the legs, such as the anterior tibial cortex, femoral neck and femoral head. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
While representing England Under-21s in their European Championship triumph, Ramsey broke a metatarsal and had to wear a protective boot for the next two months. Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has confirmed Pau Torres has suffered a broken metatarsal, ruling the defender out for two months. Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for metatarsal

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1703, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1702, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of metatarsal was in 1702

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Metatarsal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metatarsal. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

metatarsal

1 of 2 adjective
meta·​tar·​sal ˌmet-ə-ˈtär-səl How to pronounce metatarsal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being the part of the foot in human beings or of the hind foot in a four-footed animal that is located between the tarsal bones and the toes

metatarsal

2 of 2 noun
: any of the metatarsal bones of which there are five in human beings

Medical Definition

metatarsal

1 of 2 adjective
meta·​tar·​sal ˌmet-ə-ˈtär-səl How to pronounce metatarsal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being the part of the human foot or of the hind foot in quadrupeds between the tarsus and the phalanges that in humans comprises five elongated bones which form the front of the instep and ball of the foot

metatarsal

2 of 2 noun
: a metatarsal bone

More from Merriam-Webster on metatarsal

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