pectoral

[ pek-ter-uhl ]

/ ˈpɛk tər əl /

Save This Word!

adjective

of, in, on, or pertaining to the chest or breast; thoracic.

worn on the breast or chest.

proceeding from the heart or inner consciousness.

Speech. (of a vocal quality) appearing to come from resonance in the chest; full or deep.

of or for diseases of the lungs.

noun

Anatomy. a pectoral part or organ, as a pectoral muscle.

pectoral fin.

something worn on the breast for ornament, protection, etc., as a breastplate.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of pectoral

1400–50; (noun) late Middle English <Latin pectorāle, noun use of neuter of pectorālis of the breast (pector-, stem of pectus breast + -ālis-al¹); (adj.) <Latin pectorālis

OTHER WORDS FROM pectoral

pec·to·ral·ly, adverbin·ter·pec·to·ral, adjectivepost·pec·to·ral, adjectivepre·pec·to·ral, adjective

sub·pec·to·ral, adjective

Words nearby pectoral

pectinate, pectinogen, pectinose, pectize, pectolite, pectoral, pectoral cross, pectoral fin, pectoral girdle, pectoralis, pectoral muscle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pectoral in a sentence

Thanks to these close relatives, the researchers pieced together how paired fins in the jawless fish evolved in stages to become separate pectoral and pelvic fins in their jawed cousins.
Ancient fish fossils highlight the strangeness of our vertebrate ancestors|Carolyn Gramling|September 28, 2022|Science News
They also looked at bony spines in the pectoral fins of three sturgeons.
The end of the dinosaurs appears to have come in springtime|Sid Perkins|March 23, 2022|Science News For Students
The team opened last season with Troy Apke as its starting free safety but later turned to Deshazor Everett, who suffered a pectoral injury late in the year.
Washington bolsters secondary by signing cornerback Darryl Roberts|Nicki Jhabvala|March 26, 2021|Washington Post
Washington Football Team free safety Deshazor Everett underwent pectoral surgery Wednesday, probably ending his season.
Washington free safety Deshazor Everett out for the regular season|Sam Fortier|December 17, 2020|Washington Post

Even Ryan Reynolds got into the game, undergoing a radical pectoral transformation for The Green Lantern.
Invasion of the Bodybuilders|Chris Lee|June 6, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Emperor Ferdinand also visited it and left, as a votive offering, his gold pectoral chain on the altar.
Mary, Help of Christians|Various
Both are pectoral and expectorant; and in large doses nauseant and emetic.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
Phrynomerids and rhacophorine ranids lack epicoracoidal horns and have firmisternal pectoral girdles.
Systematic Status of a South American Frog, Allophryne ruthveni Gaige|John D. Lynch
But, the dendrobatids possess firmisternal pectoral girdles and lack epicoracoidal horns.
Systematic Status of a South American Frog, Allophryne ruthveni Gaige|John D. Lynch
Pendant ornament, in lotus-form, of a pectoral, inlaid with coloured pastes.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 4|Various

British Dictionary definitions for pectoral

pectoral

/ (ˈpɛktərəl) /

adjective

of or relating to the chest, breast, or thoraxpectoral fins

worn on the breast or chesta pectoral medallion

rare heartfelt or sincere

noun

a pectoral organ or part, esp a muscle or fin

a medicine or remedy for disorders of the chest or lungs

anything worn on the chest or breast for decoration or protection

Derived forms of pectoral

pectorally, adverb

Word Origin for pectoral

C15: from Latin pectorālis, from pectus breast

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for pectoral

pectoral

[ pĕk′tər-əl ]

Located in or attached to the chest, as a pectoral fin or a pectoral muscle.