quadriceps

American  

[kwod-ruh-seps] / ˈkwɒd rəˌsɛps /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

quadricepses, quadriceps

1. a large muscle in front of the thigh, the action of which extends the leg or bends the hip joint.

---

quadriceps British  

/ ˈkwɒdrɪˌsɛps, ˌkwɒdrɪˈsɪpɪtəl /

noun

1. anatomy a large four-part muscle of the front of the thigh, which extends the leg

---

quadriceps Scientific  

/ kwŏd′rĭ-sĕps′ /

1. The large, four-part muscle at the front of the thigh that arises in the hip and pelvis and inserts as a strong tendon below the kneecap (patella). The quadriceps straightens and helps stabilize the knee.

---

Other Word Forms

• quadricipital
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of quadriceps

1830–40; < New Latin, equivalent to quadri- quadri- + -ceps; see biceps

Explanation

The quadriceps is the big muscle at the front of a person's thigh. Without a quadriceps, you wouldn't be able to stick your leg straight out, walk, jump, or bend. The word quadriceps is often abbreviated as quad. It works in close conjunction with the knee, helping to extend the leg for moving and walking. This major muscle got the name quadriceps from quadri-, "consisting of four" in Latin, because of its division into four very distinct parts. Quadriceps is literally "four-headed."

Example Sentences

But, between those headline moments, injuries disrupted the start of her senior career, including a ruptured quadriceps in 2022 - while attempting to manage an often frictional relationship between her sporting ambition and studies.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

It’s primarily the hamstrings and quadriceps, but everything, including the glutes, calves, hips and core, counts.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2026

A few miles later, the Webbs dropped out with muscle cramps, a pulled quadriceps and an injured knee between them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 27, 2025

Jacobs’ production dropped from 1,653 yards to 805 this season and he missed the final month because of a quadriceps injury.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 19, 2024

I tried to follow his directions to the letter, but I felt a shooting pain through the front of my right quadriceps and down the back of my left hamstring.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad