gluteus maximus

noun

gluteus max·i·mus -ˈmak-sə-məs

plural glutei maximi -ˈmak-sə-ˌmī

: the outermost muscle of the three glutei found in each of the human buttocks

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web My favorite one is the gluteus maximus. —

Brianna Barbu, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2022 His right gluteus maximus, as well. —

Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 The insertion of the upper portion of the gluteus maximus leaves a scar on the pelvis. —

Brianna Barbu, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2022 This four-part exercise activates your gluteus maximus, minimus, and medius to improve your balance. —

Eric Killelea, Outside Online, 4 Nov. 2016 The sets, each with one to six pneumatic actuators, correspond to muscles in the human body -- gluteus maximus, adductor, hamstring, and so forth.... —

Eliza Strickland, Discover Magazine, 14 Dec. 2010 This muscle assists your largest butt muscle—your gluteus maximus—in raising your thigh out to the side. —

Brett Williams, Men's Health, 30 Nov. 2022 The movement zeroes in on the gluteus maximus, which is the muscle that creates the shape of your rear end. —

Brett Williams, Men's Health, 30 Nov. 2022 Oversized: An oversized seat is more comfortable thanks to the additional padding but can limit the range of motion in your gluteus maximus, a major muscle group for cycling motion. —

Stacey Freeman, Popular Mechanics, 16 Nov. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gluteus maximus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, largest gluteus

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of gluteus maximus was in 1831

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gluteus maximus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gluteus%20maximus. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

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Kids Definition

gluteus maximus

noun

glu·te·us max·i·mus

ˈglüt-ē-əs-ˈmak-sə-məs,

glü-ˈtē-

plural glutei maximi

ˈglüt-ē-ˌī-ˈmak-sə-ˌmī,

glü-ˈtē-

: the largest and outermost of the three major muscles in each of the human buttocks that extends the thigh and rotates it to the side

Medical Definition

gluteus maximus

noun

gluteus max·i·mus -ˈmak-sə-məs

plural glutei maximi -sə-ˌmī

: the outermost of the three muscles in each buttock that arises from the sacrum, coccyx, back part of the ilium and adjacent structures, that is inserted into the fascia lata of the thigh and the gluteal tuberosity of the femur, and that acts to extend and laterally rotate the thigh