# femur

/ˈfimɝ/ (US) · /fˈiːmɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/femur
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the longest and strongest bone in your body. It runs from your hip to your knee.

For teachers: the longest and strongest bone in the human body, extending from the hip to the knee. It is the primary weight-bearing bone of the lower limb.

## Examples

- The femur is the largest bone in the human body.
- Doctors often use the femur as a reference point when measuring the length of a patient's leg.
- The femur is uniquely adapted to withstand the immense compressive forces generated during activities like running or jumping, featuring a thick cortical shell and a hollow medullary cavity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.