noun
humerus
HYOO-muh-ruhs
Humerus (noun) means the long bone that runs from the shoulder to the elbow in humans and other vertebrates. Example: “She fractured her humerus in a fall from the ladder.”
noun
1
The long bone that runs from the shoulder to the elbow in humans and other vertebrates.
"She fractured her humerus in a fall from the ladder."
"The X-ray showed a clean break in the humerus."
How to use humerus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe bone in the upper arm, between the shoulder and elbow.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with humorous ("funny") — they're pronounced almost the same but mean completely different things.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- humeri
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She fractured her _____ in a fall from the ladder.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin humerus, meaning "shoulder" or "upper arm."
Rhymes for humerus
See all rhymes for humerus →Frequently asked questions
What does “humerus” mean?
The word “humerus” means the long bone that runs from the shoulder to the elbow in humans and other vertebrates. In plain terms, the bone in the upper arm, between the shoulder and elbow.
How do you pronounce “humerus”?
“Humerus” is pronounced HYOO-muh-ruhs (/ˈhjuːməɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “humerus” in a sentence?
Here is “humerus” used in a sentence: “She fractured her humerus in a fall from the ladder.”
What part of speech is “humerus”?
“Humerus” is a noun.
Where does the word “humerus” come from?
The word “humerus” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin humerus, meaning "shoulder" or "upper arm.".
