pec

noun

ˈpek 

plural pecs ˈpeks 

informal

: a muscle connecting the ventral walls of the chest with the bones of the upper arm and shoulder : pectoral muscle

—usually plural

His muscular pecs and biceps were vestiges of his short, happy life as a pro triathlete.

—Austin Murphy

Hunky Patrick Swayze got to flex his pecs as a surfer in Point Break …

—Jim Harwood

In this totally enjoyable film, Schwarzenegger is witty, charming, subtle, tough and most impressive—a Cary Grant with pecs.

—Ralph Novak

Examples of pec in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Push-Ups Push-ups target your upper body and challenge key muscle groups, including the triceps, pecs, and shoulders. —Jakob Roze, Health, 24 Sep. 2025

Kancey was forced to exit in the second quarter of Sunday's matchup after seemingly injuring his pec on a pass rush attempt. —Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025

During a serve, Dimitrov immediately fell on the grass court in pain, grabbing at his right pec. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2025

The reliever, who initially went on the injured list with a flexor strain and then dealt with a pec issue, was recently pulled from his rehab assignment after being bothered by his elbow. —Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

pec

noun

ˈpek 

: pectoralis

—usually used in plural

Geographical Definition

Peć

geographical name

ˈpech 

variants or Pejë

ˈpā-ə 

town in western Kosovo that was the seat of the patriarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the Middle Ages population 49,000