humerus

noun

hu·​mer·​us ˈhyü-mə-rəs 

plural humeri ˈhyü-mə-ˌrī  -ˌrē 

: the long bone of the upper arm or forelimb extending from the shoulder to the elbow

Examples of humerus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The humerus is the long bone in the upper arm that extends from your shoulder to your elbow joint. —Maggie Aime, Msn, Health, 6 Dec. 2024

These high-confidence marks were located on four tibiae, one mandible, one humerus, and two long bone fragments. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025

The humerus fragment is missing its ends, which are vital in determining whether the specimen belonged to a child or an adult. —Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2024

Cornerback Amik Robertson underwent surgery for a broken humerus. —Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin humerus, umerus upper arm, shoulder; akin to Goth ams shoulder, Greek ōmos

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

humerus

noun

hu·​mer·​us ˈhyüm-(ə-)rəs 

plural humeri ˈhyü-mə-ˌrī 

-ˌrē

: the long bone of the upper arm or forelimb that extends from the shoulder to the elbow

Medical Definition

humerus

noun

hu·​mer·​us ˈhyüm-(ə-)rəs 

plural humeri ˈhyü-mə-ˌrī  -ˌrē 

: the longest bone of the upper arm or forelimb extending from the shoulder to the elbow, articulating above by a rounded head with the glenoid cavity, having below a broad articular surface divided by a ridge into a medial pulley-shaped portion and a lateral rounded eminence that articulate with the ulna and radius respectively, and providing various processes and modified surfaces for the attachment of muscles