patella
noun
pa·tel·la
| \ pə-ˈte-lə
\
\
plural patellae\ pə-ˈte-(ˌ)lē
, -ˌlī \
or patellas
, -ˌlī \
or patellas
Definition of patella
: a thick flat triangular movable bone that forms the anterior point of the knee and protects the front of the joint
— called also kneecap
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Other Words from patella
patellar
\ pə-ˈte-lər
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of patella in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Iosefa out Senior linebacker Jordan Iosefa dislocated his patella and suffered cartilage damage in his knee, Helton said. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, "USC quarterback JT Daniels looks ‘more relaxed’ in new system," 6 Aug. 2019 Expected back on the floor this season is two-season starting point guard Ray Ona Embo, who missed the entire 2018-19 season after a patella tendon injury that initially sidelined him just for the start of the season. — Christopher Dabe, nola.com, "Tulane officially announces new-look basketball roster with 8 newcomers," 3 June 2019 My patella kept dislocating, and the pain was excruciating. — Zoe Wilder, Good Housekeeping, "My Knee Surgery Led to a Pill Addiction," 12 July 2015 During the surgery, a doctor removed a tension wire in his knee that was placed there during a repair of his fractured patella at the end of the 2014-15 season. — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, "Report: Celtics star Kyrie Irving to miss rest of regular season, playoffs," 5 Apr. 2018 Miller was on the DL twice last season with patella tendinitis. — BostonGlobe.com, "WR Brandon Marshall catches on with Seahawks," 30 May 2018 The team also had good news, too: the removal of the wire should alleviate the soreness, and the patella has healed completely. — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, "Celtics: Kyrie Irving will resume basketball activities in 3-6 weeks after knee procedure," 24 Mar. 2018 The wire was inserted in the knee during the surgical repair of a fractured patella sustained during the 2015 NBA Finals, according to the Celtics. — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, "Celtics: Kyrie Irving will resume basketball activities in 3-6 weeks after knee procedure," 24 Mar. 2018 Nicolas missed last season because of a ruptured patella tendon, suffered in the final game of the 2016 season. — Blair Kerkhoff, kansascity, "Chiefs-Browns trade that brought tight end to KC is called off | The Kansas City Star," 4 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'patella.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for patella
patella
noun
pa·tel·la
| \ pə-ˈte-lə
\
\
plural patellae\ -ˈte-lē , -ˈte-ˌlī \
or patellas
Kids Definition of patella
: kneecap
patella
noun
pa·tel·la
| \ pə-ˈtel-ə
\
\
plural patellae\ -ˈtel-(ˌ)ē
, -ˌī
\
or patellas
, -ˌī
\
or patellas
Medical Definition of patella
: a thick flat triangular movable bone that forms the anterior point of the knee, protects the front of the joint, increases the leverage of the quadriceps, and is usually regarded as a sesamoid bone since it is developed in the tendon of the quadriceps and in structure is similar to other sesamoid bones
— called also kneecap, kneepan
Other Words from patella
patellar
\ -ər
\
adjective
\
adjective