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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

humeri plural

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Test yourself on “humerus” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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."

Origin: Latin

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.".

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial