noun
carpal
KAH-puhl
Carpal (noun) means any of the small bones that make up the wrist. Example: “The X-ray showed a fracture in one of the carpals.”
noun
1
Any of the small bones that make up the wrist.
"The X-ray showed a fracture in one of the carpals."
adjective
1
Relating to the wrist.
"Carpal tunnel syndrome causes numbness and tingling in the hand."
How to use carpal
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- carpals
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The X-ray showed a fracture in one of the _____.
Etymology
From Latin carpus, borrowed from Greek karpos, meaning "wrist."
Synonyms
View more →
wrist bone
carpal bone
Frequently asked questions
What does “carpal” mean?
The word “carpal” means any of the small bones that make up the wrist. In plain terms, to do with the wrist bones — most commonly heard in the phrase "carpal tunnel syndrome.".
How do you pronounce “carpal”?
“Carpal” is pronounced KAH-puhl (/ˈkɑɹ.pəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “carpal” in a sentence?
Here is “carpal” used in a sentence: “The X-ray showed a fracture in one of the carpals.”
What part of speech is “carpal”?
Depending on how it is used, “carpal” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “carpal” come from?
The word “carpal” comes from Latin. From Latin carpus, borrowed from Greek karpos, meaning "wrist.".
How many meanings does “carpal” have?
“Carpal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: any of the small bones that make up the wrist.
