intercostal

adjective

in·​ter·​cos·​tal ˌin-tər-ˈkä-stᵊl 

: situated or extending between the ribs

intercostal spaces

intercostal muscles

intercostal noun

Examples of intercostal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The club will likely be without two of their best three starting pitchers to open the season, as Corbin Burnes works his way back from Tommy John surgery and Merrill Kelly deals with lingering intercostal nerve irritation. —Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026

Coastal Carolina right-hander Cameron Flukey was nails in his first start but was scratched from his second start with a strained intercostal muscle (the muscles between the ribs). —Keith Law, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026

Doctors performed X-rays, an EKG, and an MRI, ultimately diagnosing a strained or pinched intercostal muscle. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025

Spencer Jones Returns Spencer Jones played alongside Chisholm on Thursday, as the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect returned from an intercostal injury. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin intercostalis, from Latin inter- + costa rib — more at coast

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for intercostal

• pentecostal
• costal
• hostel
• hostile
• subcostal

Medical Definition

intercostal

1 of 2 adjective

in·​ter·​cos·​tal ˌint-ər-ˈkäs-tᵊl 

: situated or extending between the ribs

intercostal vessels

intercostal spaces

intercostal

2 of 2 noun

: an intercostal part or structure (as a muscle or nerve)