quadriceps

noun quad·ri·ceps \ ˈkwä-drə-ˌseps \

|Updated on: 9 May 2018

Examples: quadriceps in a Sentence

Definition of quadriceps

plural quadriceps also quadricepses

: the greater extensor muscle of the front of the thigh that is divided into four parts

See quadriceps defined for English-language learners

Examples of quadriceps in a Sentence

He felt a pain in his right quadriceps.

Recent Examples of quadriceps from the Web

McGee started after being listed as questionable with a bruised left quadriceps.

— raul domniguez, chicagotribune.com, "Mourning Spurs aren't able to win one for Pop: 'It's not an easy day to be here'," 19 Apr. 2018
Back after missing the previous four games with a bruised left quadriceps, Ellington converted a pair of late 3-pointers to help the Heat move within one game of the 76ers for the No.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Ellington, Wade step up late as Heat push past 76ers 108-99," 9 Mar. 2018
After battling a torn quadriceps throughout the first half of the season, Frazier came alive in the Tigers final seven games, recording 5 1/2 sacks as Missouri clinched bowl eligibility.

— alex schiffer, kansascity, "'Scouts were shocked:' Mizzou's Marcell Frazier has strong pro day | The Kansas City Star," 23 Mar. 2018
An athlete that sustains a knee or kick to the front of the thigh usually has an injury known as a quadriceps muscle contusion.

— dr. harlan selesnick, miamiherald, "Thigh injury in basketball often needs rest, ice and a rehab program | Miami Herald," 12 Mar. 2018
Cabezas suffered a strained left quadriceps muscle during Saturday’s season opener.

— corey roepken, Houston Chronicle, "Dynamo’s Juan David Cabezas expected to miss ‘a couple weeks’," 6 Mar. 2018
The Spurs decided to sideline their franchise player again to rehab further from a right quadriceps tendinopathy injury which caused him to miss the first 27 games of the season.

— jabari young, San Antonio Express-News, "Kawhi Leonard back in San Antonio, could play in March," 26 Feb. 2018
Leonard is out again, this time with a quadriceps tendinopathy that has sidelined him for all but nine games this season.

— jeff mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, "Back in Oakland, Aldridge aims to just play ball," 9 Feb. 2018
Irving was sidelined by a right quadriceps contusion after being injured during Monday’s victory in Denver.

— the associated press, New York Times, "Knicks Dealt 30-Point Loss by Short-Handed Celtics," 1 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quadriceps.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of quadriceps

New Latin quadricipit-, quadriceps, from quadri- + -cipit-, -ceps (as in bicipit-, biceps biceps)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1840

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

QUADRICEPS Defined for English Language Learners

quadriceps

noun

Definition of quadriceps for English Language Learners

: a large muscle at the front of your upper leg

Medical Dictionary

quadriceps

noun quad·ri·ceps \ ˈkwäd-rə-ˌseps \

medical Definition of quadriceps

: a large extensor muscle of the front of the thigh divided above into four parts which include the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis, and which unite in a single tendon to enclose the patella as a sesamoid bone at the knee and insert as the patellar tendon into the tuberosity of the tibia — called also quadriceps femoris, quadriceps muscle