1 metacarpal | Definition of metacarpal

metacarpal

adjective
meta·​car·​pal | \ ËŒme-tÉ™-ˈkär-pÉ™l How to pronounce metacarpal (audio) \

Definition of metacarpal

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: of, relating to, or being the metacarpus or a metacarpal

metacarpal

noun

Definition of metacarpal (Entry 2 of 2)

: a bone of the part of the hand or forefoot between the carpus and the phalanges that typically contains five more or less elongated bones when all the digits are present

Examples of metacarpal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Nickelberry broke the metacarpal bone in his pinky finger while playing one-on-one with fellow freshman Samuell Williamson last week, Louisville coach Chris Mack told the Courier Journal. Danielle Lerner, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville basketball's Josh Nickelberry recovering from a broken hand," 19 June 2019 The team said he was diagnosed with a fractured fifth metacarpal bone on right hand, but did not say how long Cano would be out of action. Scooby Axson, SI.com, "Mariners' Robinson Cano Breaks Hand After Being Hit By Pitch," 13 May 2018 Then Tagovailoa fractured the second metacarpal bone in his left hand during the first offseason practice last month, leaving the team's offense in a state of abeyance. Rainer Sabin, AL.com, "Has Tua Tagovailoa's injury stunted the growth of Alabama's offense?," 20 Apr. 2018 Love fractured the fifth metacarpal Tuesday night during a loss at Detroit, and his injury is just the latest mishap for the Cavs, who are coming off a sub-par January. USA TODAY, "Cavs' Love out 2 months with broken hand, avoids surgery," 2 Feb. 2018 Nine screws hold the metacarpal bone of his index finger together. Josh Robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Nikola Vucevic focuses on rehabbing his left hand, says he doesn’t want trade," 26 Jan. 2018 The injury was to the second metacarpal bone in his left hand, which is his non-shooting hand, Lakers officials said. Tania Ganguli, latimes.com, "Larry Nance Jr. breaks his hand in Lakers' loss to Portland," 3 Nov. 2017 The most likely hand injury is a metacarpal fracture or similar injury. Profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Orlando Scandrick could need surgery, should return quickly," 10 Sep. 2017 Tampa Bay outfielder Kevin Kiermaier broke a metacarpal bone in his left hand last season. Nick Groke, The Denver Post, "Rockies offer optimistic timeline for Ian Desmond; waiting for Rayan Gonzalez tests," 16 Mar. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

On Thursday, Giants third baseman Evan Longoria was hit by a pitch that fractured the fifth metacarpal on his left hand. Khadrice Rollins, SI.com, "Evan Longoria Expected to Miss Six to Eight Weeks Following Surgery On Fractured Hand," 16 June 2018 The other side: Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano was hit by a pitch on the right hand and sustained a fractured fifth metacarpal on his right hand. Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers walk off vs. Seattle Mariners 5-4 on Mother's Day," 13 May 2018 Delmonico will be out four to six weeks with a fractured third metacarpal on his right hand after Rangers pitcher Matt Moore hit him with a pitch in the second inning of Friday night’s 12-5 loss. Colleen Kane, chicagotribune.com, "Dylan Covey looks to make good second impression with White Sox," 19 May 2018 The Mariners announced that Cano suffered a fractured fifth metacarpal. Scooby Axson, SI.com, "Report: Robinson Cano Suspended 80 Games For Violating Drug Policy," 15 May 2018 Time Cano suffered a fractured fifth metacarpal in his right hand when he was hit by a pitch in a game against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. Richard Morin, azcentral, "Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte on Robinson Cano suspension: 'I couldn't believe it'," 15 May 2018 The Mariners say Cano suffered a fractured fifth metacarpal on his right hand when he was hit in the top of the third third inning. Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, "Robinson Cano suffers broken finger after being hit by pitch against Tigers," 13 May 2018 The bones that made the difference seemed to be the bones of the hand and wrist (phalanges, metacarpals, and carpals), the lower arm (radius and ulna), ankles (tarsals), and parts of the leg (femur and fibula, but oddly not the tibia). Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Machine-learning says Homo naledi may not have buried its dead," 6 Apr. 2018 Vucevic, the team’s starting center when healthy, fractured the metacarpal of his left index finger on Dec. 23 and underwent surgery on Dec. 26. Josh Robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Jonathan Isaac, Nikola Vucevic, Terrence Ross progressing in return from injuries," 3 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'metacarpal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of metacarpal

Adjective

1739, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for metacarpal

metacarpal

adjective
meta·​car·​pal | \ ËŒmet-É™-ˈkär-pÉ™l How to pronounce metacarpal (audio) \

Medical Definition of metacarpal

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: of, relating to, or being the metacarpus or a metacarpal

metacarpal

noun

Medical Definition of metacarpal (Entry 2 of 2)

: any bone of the metacarpus of the human hand or the front foot in quadrupeds

More from Merriam-Webster on metacarpal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about metacarpal