pectoral muscle

noun

: any of the muscles which connect the ventral walls of the chest with the bones of the upper arm and shoulder and of which there are two on each side of the human body

Examples of pectoral muscle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web McNeill has been out for a month with a knee injury and Gardner-Johnson hasn't played since tearing a pectoral muscle in Week 2. Larry Lage, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024 He’s missed a few games this year due to injury, including the AFC Championship game because of an injured pectoral muscle. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Feb. 2024 He has been sidelined since straining his pectoral muscle in the AFC divisional game against Buffalo. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024 Thuney suffered a strained pectoral muscle, and Edwards a concussion, in the Chiefs’ 27-24 win against the Bills. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024 McNeill has been out since spraining his MCL against the Saints, while Gardner-Johnson has not played since tearing his pectoral muscle in a Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 3 Jan. 2024 The surgeon cut away part of his left pectoral muscle and removed his left upper rib. Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 16 Dec. 2023 Look at the pectoral muscles that used to be firm and perky and really powerful. Marianne Garvey, CNN, 9 Oct. 2023 Wells is out for the year with a pectoral muscle injury. Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pectoral muscle.' 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

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pectoral muscle was in 1615

Dictionary Entries Near pectoral muscle

Cite this Entry

“Pectoral muscle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pectoral%20muscle. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pectoral muscle

noun
: any of the muscles which connect the front walls of the chest with the bones of the upper arm and shoulder and of which there are two on each side in the human body

Medical Definition

pectoral muscle

noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!