1. situated nearer to the center of the body or to the point of attachment
Usage: anatomy; medicine
2. nearest or next in time, place, or order
Usage: formal

Examples

• The proximal end of the femur connects to the hip joint.
• The injury occurred in the proximal portion of the arm.
• Doctors examined the proximal muscles first.
• The proximal cause of the accident was driver error.
• She felt pain in the proximal joints of her fingers.
• The proximal relationship between the events was clear.