humerus

noun

hu·​mer·​us ˈhyü-mə-rəs How to pronounce humerus (audio)
plural humeri ˈhyü-mə-ˌrī How to pronounce humerus (audio)
-ˌrē
: the long bone of the upper arm or forelimb extending from the shoulder to the elbow

Examples of humerus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The age of the female skeleton at 18 years old was determined based on the epiphyseal lines of her humerus. Brie Stimson, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2024 Lexy was diagnosed with the bone cancer in her right humerus in October 2019. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2024 Thicker bones, like the femur and humerus, tend to better withstand heat. Jenny Jarvie, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2023 The doctor told Joey that her mom’s humerus bone had fractured. AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2023 The three heads are connected to your elbow and humerus, and the long head is also connected to the shoulder. Brett Williams, Men's Health, 6 Sep. 2023 The fourth-year QB revealed the break in his humerus bone — which runs from his shoulder to elbow — to Fox during the network's pregame show. Tom Withers, orlandosentinel.com, 22 Oct. 2021 Hears sum rye, humerus pros eye rote won idol sundae mourning our discreetly four nun butt deer auld ewe. 6. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2023 Heuer underwent surgery Friday in Chicago that required screws and wires to put the lower end of his humerus back in place. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'humerus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin humerus, umerus upper arm, shoulder; akin to Goth ams shoulder, Greek ōmos

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of humerus was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near humerus

Cite this Entry

“Humerus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humerus. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

humerus

noun
hu·​mer·​us ˈhyüm-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce humerus (audio)
plural humeri ˈhyü-mə-ˌrī How to pronounce humerus (audio)
-ˌrē
: the long bone of the upper arm or forelimb that extends from the shoulder to the elbow

Medical Definition

humerus

noun
hu·​mer·​us ˈhyüm-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce humerus (audio)
: the longest bone of the upper arm or forelimb extending from the shoulder to the elbow, articulating above by a rounded head with the glenoid cavity, having below a broad articular surface divided by a ridge into a medial pulley-shaped portion and a lateral rounded eminence that articulate with the ulna and radius respectively, and providing various processes and modified surfaces for the attachment of muscles

More from Merriam-Webster on humerus

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