plural incudes
iŋ-ˈkyü-(ˌ)dēz 
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌdēz
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌdēz
: the middle bone of a chain of three small bones in the ear of a mammal
called also anvil
see ear illustrationExamples of incus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The smallest bones are inside your ear, and they are known as the hammer (malleus), stirrup (stapes), and anvil (incus).
—
Jason Bittel, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2019
The auditory ossicles of the middle ear – the malleus, incus and stapes – are the tiniest bones in the human body.
—Emily Matchar, Smithsonian, 18 Dec. 2017
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.
Jason Bittel, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2019
The auditory ossicles of the middle ear – the malleus, incus and stapes – are the tiniest bones in the human body.
—Emily Matchar, Smithsonian, 18 Dec. 2017
Dictionary Entries Near incus
Cite this Entry
“Incus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incus. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
incus
noun
in·cus
ˈiŋ-kəs
plural incudes
iŋ-ˈkyüd-(ˌ)ēz
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌdēz
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌdēz
: the middle bone of the chain of three ossicles in the middle ear of a mammal resembling a premolar tooth with the body having a facet which articulates with the malleus and with the longer of the two widely separated crura having a process which articulates with the stapes
called also ambos, anvil
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share