lat

1 of 3

noun

plural lats
informal
: a broad, flat muscle of the middle and lower back : latissimus dorsi
usually plural
In centuries past, people did not act like captive hamsters. If a person chopped wood or ran a long way, it was because he or she needed fuel or wanted to get somewhere. Now we do such things to fit into new pants or develop our lats.Rick Telander

lat

2 of 3

abbreviation (1)

latitude

LAT

3 of 3

abbreviation (2)

local apparent time

Examples of lat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Right-hander Ben Brown has also been in the bullpen at Triple A since returning from his left lat injury. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023 Engaging your lats also helps to keep the weight close to the body. Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 7 Aug. 2023 This requires more lat and core activation, said Ward. Tiffany Ayuda, Health, 22 Aug. 2023 Kennedy had season-ending knee surgery, and a lat strain sidelined him for most of the 2019 season. Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 18 Aug. 2023 Keeping lats engaged, right toes on the floor, and spine neutral, shift body weight into left foot and slowly hinge at hips to lower right arm and chest toward the floor. Megan Falk, Women's Health, 18 Aug. 2023 Michael Grove was placed on the injured list Sunday with a sore lat but could serve as a swingman in the bullpen down the stretch if the team wants another bulk-inning option to pair with trade acquisition Ryan Yarbrough. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2023 From the April 2000 issue of Car and Driver. Saleen Mustangs are unabashed mutants, with bodywork additions that bulge like the lats on Mr. Universe contestants, with wheels and tires that crowd the wheelhousings, and with engines that pulse with supercharged steroids. Barry Winfield, Car and Driver, 1 Aug. 2023 With your lats spread, try and rotate slightly to touch your left elbow to the right knee. Jeff Tomko, Men's Health, 25 July 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lat was in 1939

Dictionary Entries Near lat

Cite this Entry

“Lat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lat. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.

Medical Definition

lat

noun
: latissimus dorsi
usually used in plural
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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