meniscus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific/Academic
Quick answer
What does “meniscus” mean?
A curved surface of a liquid in a container, caused by surface tension.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A curved surface of a liquid in a container, caused by surface tension.
1. A crescent-shaped fibrocartilaginous structure in the knee joint. 2. A convex or concave lens surface.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. In medicine, both use identically.
Connotations
None beyond technical precision.
Frequency
Medical usage is more common in both varieties due to prevalence of knee injuries.
Grammar
How to Use “meniscus” in a Sentence
The [liquid] formed a meniscus in the [container].He suffered a tear in his [medial/lateral] meniscus.The [lens] has a convex meniscus.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meniscus” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- meniscal tear
- meniscal injury
American English
- meniscal tear
- meniscal injury
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in physics (fluid mechanics) and medical/biological sciences.
Everyday
Rare, except when discussing knee injuries.
Technical
Common in medical reports, physiotherapy, lab work, and optics.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meniscus”
- Pronouncing it /ˈmen.ɪ.skəs/ (wrong stress).
- Using it as a general term for 'cartilage' (it's a specific structure).
- Spelling: 'miniscus', 'meniscis'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The medial meniscus is on the inner side of the knee, the lateral meniscus is on the outer side. The medial is more commonly injured.
Because the adhesive forces between water and glass are stronger than the cohesive forces within the water, pulling the water upwards at the edges.
The outer, vascularised 'red zone' has some healing capacity. The inner 'white zone' has poor blood supply and often requires surgical intervention.
Rarely. It specifically refers to the crescent-shaped cartilages in the knee, though similar structures in other joints (like the wrist) are usually called 'discs' or 'cartilaginous discs'.
A curved surface of a liquid in a container, caused by surface tension.
Meniscus is usually technical/scientific/academic in register.
Meniscus: in British English it is pronounced /mɪˈnɪs.kəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈnɪs.kəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MINI-SCUS (sounds like 'discus') in your knee that's shaped like a crescent moon.
Conceptual Metaphor
CURVATURE IS A CRESCENT MOON / PROTECTION IS A CUSHION (for knee meniscus).
Practice
Quiz
In which field would you MOST likely encounter the term 'meniscus' in its non-medical sense?