1
anatomy
: situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point especially of the body compare proximal
the distal ends of the tibia and fibula
2
dentistry
: of, relating to, or being the surface of a tooth that is next to the tooth behind it or that is farthest from the middle of the front of the jaw compare mesial sense 2
Examples of distal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There are ways to put distal parts of the chromosome in proximity — if the enhancer can be pulled out of the mass of chromatin and brought close to the promoter and gene on a loop.
—
Quanta Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
The way the bone splintered is known as a distal humerus fracture.
—Katheryn Houghton, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Examining the skeletons in the pit, Valenzuela found that most of the thrush bones were skulls, breastbones and distal bones of wings and legs.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025
The prostate cancer stops responding to hormone therapy and has spread via the bloodstream or lymph nodes to distal parts of the body, like the bones, liver, lungs, or brain.
—Matthew Wosnitzer, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for distal
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Quanta Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
The way the bone splintered is known as a distal humerus fracture.
—Katheryn Houghton, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Examining the skeletons in the pit, Valenzuela found that most of the thrush bones were skulls, breastbones and distal bones of wings and legs.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025
The prostate cancer stops responding to hormone therapy and has spread via the bloodstream or lymph nodes to distal parts of the body, like the bones, liver, lungs, or brain.
—Matthew Wosnitzer, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for distal
Cite this Entry
“Distal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distal. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
distal
adjective
dis·tal
ˈdis-tᵊl 
1
: situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point: as
a
: located away from the center of the body
the distal end of a bone
compare proximal sense 1a
b
: located away from the mesial plane of the body compare mesial sense 2
c
: of, relating to, or being the surface of a tooth that is next to the following tooth counting from the middle of the front of the upper or lower jaw or that faces the back of the mouth in the case of the last tooth on each side compare mesial sense 3, proximal sense 1b
2
: physical or social rather than sensory compare proximal sense 2
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share