metacarpal

1 of 2

adjective

meta·​car·​pal ˌme-tə-ˈkär-pəl 

: of, relating to, or being the metacarpus or a metacarpal

metacarpal

2 of 2

noun

: a bone of the part of the hand or forefoot between the carpus and the phalanges that typically contains five more or less elongated bones when all the digits are present

Examples of metacarpal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Prison officials said the metacarpal intra-articular base fracture, sometimes called a Bennett or Rolando fracture, to Templin’s thumb was caused by Templin repeatedly punching a wall. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 13 June 2024

Merely two hours after the game it was announced that Barnes had suffered a fracture to his third metacarpal bone in his left hand and is now out indefinitely. —Esfandiar Baraheni, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024

Noun

All of the bones are either metacarpals or metatarsals, which are part of cows’ lower legs. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024

The bones used are those of cattle—in particular, metacarpals and metatarsals, which are found in the lower limbs. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1739, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

metacarpal

1 of 2 adjective

meta·​car·​pal ˌmet-ə-ˈkär-pəl 

: of, relating to, or being the part of the hand or front foot or a bone of this part that is between the carpal bones and the bones of the fingers or toes

metacarpal

2 of 2 noun

: a metacarpal bone

Medical Definition

metacarpal

1 of 2 adjective

meta·​car·​pal ˌmet-ə-ˈkär-pəl 

: of, relating to, or being the metacarpus or a metacarpal

metacarpal

2 of 2 noun

: any bone of the metacarpus of the human hand or the front foot in quadrupeds