proximal

UK: /ˈprɒksɪməl/ US: (prok′sə məl)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

prox•i•mal  (prok′sə məl), adj. 

1. Anatomy situated toward the point of origin or attachment, as of a limb or bone. Cf. distal (def. 1).

• Latin proxim(us) next (superlative of prope near) + -al¹
• 1720–30

prox′i•mal•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

proximal / ˈprɒksɪməl/ adjective

1. situated close to the centre, median line, or point of attachment or origin
   Compare distal
2. another word for proximate

ˈproximally adverb

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

prox•i•mate  (prok′sə mit), adj. 

1. next; nearest;
   immediately before or after in order, place, occurrence, etc.
2. close;
   very near.
3. approximate;
   fairly accurate.
4. forthcoming;
   imminent.

• Late Latin proximātus, past participle of proximāre to near, approach. See proximal, -ate¹
• 1590–1600

prox′i•mate•ly, adv. 
prox′i•mate•ness, n. 
prox•i•ma•tion  (prok′sə mā′shən), n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

proximate / ˈprɒksɪmɪt/, proximal adjective

1. next or nearest in space or time
2. very near; close
3. immediately preceding or following in a series
4. a less common word for approximate

Etymology: 16th Century: from Late Latin proximāre to draw near, from Latin proximus next, from prope near

ˈproximately adverb