tarsal

1 of 2

adjective

tar·​sal ˈtär-səl How to pronounce tarsal (audio)
1
: of or relating to the tarsus
2
: being or relating to plates of dense connective tissue that serve to stiffen the eyelids

tarsal

2 of 2

noun

: a tarsal part (such as a bone or cartilage)

Examples of tarsal 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
Sourced from the remains of goats, sheep and cattle, the artifacts date to the Hellenistic period—which began with the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C.E.—and were made specifically from the astragalus, a small bone located in the tarsal joint of hooved animals. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Aug. 2022 The posterior tibial nerve is most susceptible in the tarsal tunnel, just behind the inside ankle bone. Jordan Duncan, Outside Online, 12 May 2021 Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which a nerve known as the posterior tibial compresses while traveling through the tarsal tunnel, reports Johns Hopkins Medicine. Sarah Fielding, Health.com, 20 Sep. 2021 After recovering from the third tear, McLeod began to suffer from tarsal tunnel syndrome, a compression of a nerve at the back of her ankle that can cause complete loss of feeling in the foot. Julia Poe, orlandosentinel.com, 13 Aug. 2021
Noun
Play off that and set a mix of buck urine and/or tarsal near your stand. Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 16 Oct. 2019 Nico #Schulz has suffered a partial ligament tear to a tarsal in his left foot and will not be available for #NIRGER on Monday. SI.com, 27 Sep. 2019 Try doctoring old scrapes with both estrus and tarsal as a challenge to other bucks. Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 4 Dec. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tarsal was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near tarsal

Cite this Entry

“Tarsal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tarsal. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tarsal

1 of 2 adjective
tar·​sal ˈtär-səl How to pronounce tarsal (audio)
: of or relating to the tarsus

tarsal

2 of 2 noun
: a tarsal part (as a bone or cartilage)

Medical Definition

tarsal

1 of 2 adjective
tar·​sal ˈtar-səl How to pronounce tarsal (audio)
1
: of or relating to the tarsus
2
: being or relating to plates of dense connective tissue that serve to stiffen the eyelids

tarsal

2 of 2 noun
: a tarsal part (as a bone or cartilage)

More from Merriam-Webster on tarsal

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!