soleus

noun

so·​le·​us ˈsō-lē-əs 

plural solei ˈsō-lē-ˌī 

: a broad flat muscle of the calf of the leg lying immediately beneath the gastrocnemius

Examples of soleus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The only Thunder rotation player ruled out for Sunday’s contest against the Heat is Isaiah Hartenstein, who will miss the game because of a right soleus strain. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026

The hidden role of your calves The calf muscles — primarily the gastrocnemius and soleus — are essential for ankle mobility. —Dana Santas, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025

Standing Calf Stretch Your gastrocnemius and soleus are the two main muscles that make up your calf muscle. —Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 30 Oct. 2025

Then, with Antetokounmpo sidelined with a left soleus (calf) strain, the Pacers upset the Bucks in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs. —Eric Nehm, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin solea sandal — more at sole

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for soleus

• coleus

Medical Definition

soleus

noun

so·​le·​us ˈsō-lē-əs 

plural solei -lē-ˌī  also soleuses

: a broad flat muscle of the calf of the leg that lies deep to the gastrocnemius, arises from the back and upper part of the tibia and fibula and from a tendinous arch between them, inserts by a tendon that unites with that of the gastrocnemius to form the Achilles tendon, and acts to flex the foot