pectoral

1 of 2

noun

pec·​to·​ral ˈpek-t(ə-)rəl 

1

: something worn on the breast

2

: pectoral muscle

pectoral

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, situated in or on, or worn on the chest

2

: coming from the breast or heart as the seat of emotion

Examples of pectoral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Surtain out again: Denver ruled out four other players in addition to Dobbins for Sunday, none of them surprises: CB Pat Surtain II (pectoral) and TE Nate Adkins (knee) will miss their third straight game each, while OLB Jonah Elliss (hamstring) is out, too. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2025

This report from Rapoport feels like the best case scenario for Miami given the fact that a torn pectoral would have ended his season. —Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025

Adjective

Unfortunately, Waller suffered a pectoral injury in Week 6, and that led to multiple games missed. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025

The 25-year-old right-hander was limited to just 11 games (10 starts) due to multiple injuries, including a right pectoral strain and right arm neuritis, and also bounced back and forth between Triple-A and the majors throughout the season. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin pectoralis, from pector-, pectus breast; akin to Tocharian A päśšäm breasts, Old Irish ucht breast

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pectoral

• pectoral cross
• pectoral fin
• pectoral girdle
• pectoral muscle

Rhymes for pectoral

• sectoral
• electoral

Kids Definition

pectoral

adjective

pec·​to·​ral

ˈpek-t(ə-)rəl

: of, relating to, or situated in, near, or on the chest

Medical Definition

pectoral

1 of 2 noun

pec·​to·​ral ˈpek-t(ə-)rəl 

1

: a pectoral part or organ

especially : pectoralis

2

: a medicinal substance for treating diseases of the respiratory tract

pectoral

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or occurring in or on the chest

pectoral arch

2

: relating to or good for diseases of the respiratory tract

a pectoral syrup