meta·tar·sal
ˌme-tə-ˈtär-səl 
: of, relating to, or being the part of the human foot or of the hind foot in quadrupeds between the tarsus and the phalanges that in humans comprises five elongated bones which form the front of the instep and ball of the foot
: a metatarsal bone
Examples of metatarsal in a Sentence
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Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 17 Jan. 2025
After the game, Emery had hoped the metatarsal injury would not be too serious and scans were conducted in the days after to determine the extent of the damage.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
All of the bones are either metacarpals or metatarsals, which are part of cows’ lower legs.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for metatarsal 
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Adjective
This joint, also called the metatarsal phalangeal (MTP) joint, is located at the base of the toe and connects the toe to your foot.1
Pain in this joint can vary in intensity and onset.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 17 Jan. 2025
After the game, Emery had hoped the metatarsal injury would not be too serious and scans were conducted in the days after to determine the extent of the damage.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has confirmed Pau Torres has suffered a broken metatarsal, ruling the defender out for two months.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
All of the bones are either metacarpals or metatarsals, which are part of cows’ lower legs.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for metatarsal
Dictionary Entries Near metatarsal
Cite this Entry
“Metatarsal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metatarsal. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
metatarsal
1 of 2 adjective
meta·tar·sal
ˌmet-ə-ˈtär-səl
: of, relating to, or being the part of the foot in human beings or of the hind foot in a four-footed animal that is located between the tarsal bones and the toes
metatarsal
2 of 2 noun
: any of the metatarsal bones of which there are five in human beings
Medical Definition
metatarsal
1 of 2 adjective
meta·tar·sal
ˌmet-ə-ˈtär-səl
: of, relating to, or being the part of the human foot or of the hind foot in quadrupeds between the tarsus and the phalanges that in humans comprises five elongated bones which form the front of the instep and ball of the foot
metatarsal
2 of 2 noun
: a metatarsal bone
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