biceps

American  

[bahy-seps] / ˈbaɪ sɛps /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

bicepses, biceps

1. either of two flexor muscles, one biceps brachii located in the front of the upper arm and assisting in bending the arm, and the other biceps femoris located on the back of the thigh and assisting in bending the leg.

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biceps British  

/ ˈbaɪsɛps /

noun

1. anatomy any muscle having two heads or origins, esp the muscle that flexes the forearm

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biceps Scientific  

/ bī′sĕps′ /

1. Either of two muscles, biceps brachii of the arm or biceps femoris of the leg, each with two points of origin. The biceps of the arm bends the elbow, while the biceps of the leg helps to bend the knee as part of the hamstring.

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Etymology

Origin of biceps

1625–35; < Latin: two-headed, having two parts, equivalent to bi- bi- ¹ + -ceps (stem -cipit- ), combining form of caput head

Compare meaning

How does biceps compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• biceps vs. triceps

Example Sentences

Rice recalls the washboard abs of the ’90s; the athletic build of the early 2000s; the quest, in the 2010s, for tiny waists and huge biceps.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

When he starts his stretching exercises, you can’t miss his bulging biceps or the intense focus on his face.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2025

In one memorable photo, Trump’s ankles appear downright sausagelike, impressively achieving a diameter that can, I think, realistically rival Hulk Hogan’s biceps.

From Slate • Jul. 18, 2025

The video also shows Sweeney flexing her biceps.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2024

Blue-furred, orange-eyed, red-fanged, a tiger snarled upon his left biceps; a spitting snake, coiled around a dagger, slithered down his arm; and elsewhere skulls gleamed, a tombstone loomed, a chrysanthemum flourished.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

Related Words

• branch
• rod
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