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
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
While executive orders from the White House are the proximate cause, the distal cause of the present circumstance is an erosion of public trust in higher education.
—Mark Robison, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 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
The Celtics listed Tatum as doubtful for Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Magic with a right distal radius bone bruise in his wrist.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distal
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Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025
While executive orders from the White House are the proximate cause, the distal cause of the present circumstance is an erosion of public trust in higher education.
—Mark Robison, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 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
The Celtics listed Tatum as doubtful for Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Magic with a right distal radius bone bruise in his wrist.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 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 29 Jul. 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
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