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
Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024
The glass was formed when a meteorite exploded into the sand in the eastern Sahara and made this stunning piece of glass later carved into a scarab and added to adorn this ceremonial pectoral, says Salima Ikram, an Egyptologist at The American University in Cairo.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024
The Chiefs, meanwhile, are without a few key players, notably All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (triceps), both of whom were ruled out Friday.
—Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2024
Reid has yet to count out guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) but Nick Allegretti is in line to start at left guard.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2024
The light hitting the sheen of sweat on his pectorals.
—Marissa Evans, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024
Questionable are wide receiver Skyy Moore (knee), guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) and offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho (quadriceps); Thuney has not practiced all week.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2024
Chiefs safety Mike Edwards (concussion), linebacker Willie Gay (neck) and guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) left the Bills game with injuries.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2024
On a strong person, what at first appear to be bulging pectorals are in reality two bulging brains.
—Jordan Castro, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024
Wayne Parry, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
Another curious and stunning piece found in the tomb was King Tut’s central pectoral scarab.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024
Thuney didn't play against the Ravens because of a pectoral injury.
—Mark Anderson, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2024
The Chiefs’ injury report Friday said left guard Joe Thuney was out for the Super Bowl because of a pectoral injury suffered against the Bills in the playoffs.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2024
Left guard Joe Thuney, perhaps the Chiefs’ best offensive lineman, suffered a pectoral injury against the Bills and will not play.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 24 Jan. 2024
The All-Pro suffered a pectoral injury against the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2024
The Ravens will still be at a health disadvantage after a costly season opener in which running back J.K. Dobbins tore his Achilles tendon, safety Marcus Williams suffered a pectoral injury, center Tyler Linderbaum sprained his ankle and left tackle Ronnie Stanley sprained his knee.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2023
The whale was doing what’s called pec-slapping, or slapping the water with its pectoral flippers, which are the two fins in front.
—Tara Duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Mar. 2023
Noun
The Significance Of King Tut’s Pectoral Scarab The elaborate golden pectoral is adorned with a bright yellow gemstone that makes up the scarab, a type of beetle.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024
The glass was formed when a meteorite exploded into the sand in the eastern Sahara and made this stunning piece of glass later carved into a scarab and added to adorn this ceremonial pectoral, says Salima Ikram, an Egyptologist at The American University in Cairo.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024
The Chiefs, meanwhile, are without a few key players, notably All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (triceps), both of whom were ruled out Friday.
—Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2024
Reid has yet to count out guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) but Nick Allegretti is in line to start at left guard.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2024
The light hitting the sheen of sweat on his pectorals.
—Marissa Evans, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024
Questionable are wide receiver Skyy Moore (knee), guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) and offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho (quadriceps); Thuney has not practiced all week.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2024
Chiefs safety Mike Edwards (concussion), linebacker Willie Gay (neck) and guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) left the Bills game with injuries.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2024
On a strong person, what at first appear to be bulging pectorals are in reality two bulging brains.
—Jordan Castro, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Scars from a previous entanglement unrelated to the stranding event were found around the peduncle, which is the muscular area where the tail connects to the body; on the tail itself, and on the right front pectoral flipper.
—Wayne Parry, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
Another curious and stunning piece found in the tomb was King Tut’s central pectoral scarab.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024
Thuney didn't play against the Ravens because of a pectoral injury.
—Mark Anderson, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2024
The Chiefs’ injury report Friday said left guard Joe Thuney was out for the Super Bowl because of a pectoral injury suffered against the Bills in the playoffs.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2024
Left guard Joe Thuney, perhaps the Chiefs’ best offensive lineman, suffered a pectoral injury against the Bills and will not play.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 24 Jan. 2024
The All-Pro suffered a pectoral injury against the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2024
The Ravens will still be at a health disadvantage after a costly season opener in which running back J.K. Dobbins tore his Achilles tendon, safety Marcus Williams suffered a pectoral injury, center Tyler Linderbaum sprained his ankle and left tackle Ronnie Stanley sprained his knee.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2023
The whale was doing what’s called pec-slapping, or slapping the water with its pectoral flippers, which are the two fins in front.
—Tara Duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pectoral.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Pectoral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pectoral. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical 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 adjective1
: 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
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