labrum

noun

la·​brum ˈlā-brəm 

1

: an upper or anterior mouthpart of an arthropod consisting of a single median piece in front of or above the mandibles

2

: a ring of fibrous cartilage forming the margin of the shallow cavity of the upper part of the scapula by which the humerus articulates with the shoulder girdle

Examples of labrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also back for Metea Valley is senior pitcher Anthony Tardif, who earned All-DuPage Valley Conference honors as a sophomore but missed last season with a torn labrum. —Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025

Pelicans forward Trey Murphy will be out for the remainder of the regular season after sustaining a torn labrum and partial tear of the rotator cuff in his right shoulder, the team announced Monday following a game against the Detroit Pistons. —William Guillory, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025

Yes, Engram was the most expensive signing of the crop, and there’s some injury concern after his 2024 season ended prematurely with a torn labrum. —Luca Evans, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025

But Engram also dealt with injuries in 2024, tearing a labrum that required mid-December surgery. —Scott Thompson, Fox News, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, lip, edge — more at lip

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for labrum

• candelabrum

Kids Definition

labrum

noun

la·​brum ˈlā-brəm 

: the upper mouthpart of an arthropod in front of or above the mandibles

Medical Definition

labrum

noun

la·​brum ˈlā-brəm 

plural labra -brə 

1

: an upper or anterior mouthpart of an arthropod consisting of a single median piece in front of or above the mandibles

2

: a fibrous ring of cartilage attached to the rim of a joint: as

a

: glenoid labrum

b

: acetabular labrum