pectoral

[ pek-ter-uhl ]

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.

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

/ 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

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

/ pĕk′tər-əl /

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

Derived Forms

• ˈpectorally, adverb

Other Words From

• pecto·ral·ly adverb
• inter·pecto·ral adjective
• post·pecto·ral adjective
• pre·pecto·ral adjective
• sub·pecto·ral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pectoral¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pectoral¹

C15: from Latin pectorālis, from pectus breast

Example Sentences

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.

From Science News

They also looked at bony spines in the pectoral fins of three sturgeons.

From 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.

From Washington Post

Washington Football Team free safety Deshazor Everett underwent pectoral surgery Wednesday, probably ending his season.

From Washington Post

Even Ryan Reynolds got into the game, undergoing a radical pectoral transformation for The Green Lantern.

From The Daily Beast

Emperor Ferdinand also visited it and left, as a votive offering, his gold pectoral chain on the altar.

From Project Gutenberg

Both are pectoral and expectorant; and in large doses nauseant and emetic.

From Project Gutenberg

Phrynomerids and rhacophorine ranids lack epicoracoidal horns and have firmisternal pectoral girdles.

From Project Gutenberg

But, the dendrobatids possess firmisternal pectoral girdles and lack epicoracoidal horns.

From Project Gutenberg

Pendant ornament, in lotus-form, of a pectoral, inlaid with coloured pastes.

From Project Gutenberg