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

Examples of gluteus maximus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Glutes: Three glutes muscles make up your butt: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. —Danielle Zickl, SELF, 6 Mar. 2025

Squats also target the gluteus maximus muscle in your buttocks. —Aubrey Bailey, Pt, Dpt, Cht, Verywell Health, 20 Nov. 2024

Lunges, hip thrusts, deadlifts—all of the lower-body staples work your gluteus maximus, or the biggest muscle in your butt. —Christa Sgobba, SELF, 7 Jan. 2025

Standing Hip Hinge The hip hinge exercise strengthens your hamstrings and gluteus maximus muscles. —Aubrey Bailey, Pt, Dpt, Cht, Verywell Health, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, largest gluteus

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

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