noun

carpal

KAH-puhl

noun

Any of the small bones that make up the wrist.

"The X-ray showed a fracture in one of the carpals."

adjective

Relating to the wrist.

"Carpal tunnel syndrome causes numbness and tingling in the hand."

How to Use Carpal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo do with the wrist bones — most commonly heard in the phrase "carpal tunnel syndrome."

Common pairings

carpal tunnel carpal bones carpal tunnel syndrome

carpals plural

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The X-ray showed a fracture in one of the _____.

From Latin carpus, borrowed from Greek karpos, meaning "wrist."