pectoral

American  

[pek-ter-uhl] / ˈpɛk tər əl /

adjective

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

2. worn on the breast or chest.

3. proceeding from the heart or inner consciousness.

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

5. of or for diseases of the lungs.

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noun

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

2. pectoral fin.

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

pectoral British  

/ ˈpɛktərəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the chest, breast, or thorax

   pectoral fins

2. worn on the breast or chest

   a pectoral medallion

3. rare heartfelt or sincere

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noun

1. a pectoral organ or part, esp a muscle or fin

2. a medicine or remedy for disorders of the chest or lungs

3. anything worn on the chest or breast for decoration or protection

pectoral Scientific  

/ pĕk′tər-əl /

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

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Other Word Forms

• interpectoral adjective
• pectorally adverb
• postpectoral adjective
• prepectoral adjective
• subpectoral adjective

Etymology

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 -al ¹ ); (adj.) < Latin pectorālis

Example Sentences

That body was found with two bracelets, two earrings, and pectoral jewelry that featured bats and crocodiles, she added.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

Trailing by two sets to love in his fourth-round match against Grigor Dimitrov, Sinner advanced when his luckless opponent retired with a pectoral injury.

From BBC • Jul. 13, 2025

Hamstring and pectoral injuries prevented him from adding to the two appearances he made that summer, in which he took 10 wickets.

From BBC • May 20, 2025

On offense, left tackle Rashawn Slater was sidelined with a strained pectoral muscle.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2024

Now that he had seen him once, he could picture the fish swimming in the water with his purple pectoral fins set wide as wings and the great erect tail slicing through the dark.

From "The Old Man and The Sea" by Ernest Hemingway