Pectoral
//ˈpɛk.tə.ɹəl// adj, noun
adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A pectoral fin.
- 2 an adornment worn on the chest or breast wordnet
- 3 Protective armor for a horse's breast.
"The Poitrinal, Pectoral, or Breast Plate was formed of plates of metal rivetted together, which covered the breast and shoulders of the horse, it was commonly adorned with foliage, or other ornaments engraved or embossed."
- 4 either of two large muscles of the chest wordnet
- 5 A covering or protection for the breast.
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 A breastplate, especially that worn by the Jewish high priest.
- 7 A clasp, cross, or ornamental square of cloth etc. worn upon the breast.
- 8 An ancient Egyptian item of jewelry worn upon the chest, often part of (or constituting) a necklace or collar. historical
- 9 A medicine for diseases of the chest organs, especially the lungs.
Adjective
- 1 Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest. not-comparable
"the pectoral muscles"
- 2 Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs. not-comparable
"But, in general, a few days' confinement, abstinence from flesh meat, and frequent sippings of some tepid pectoral drink, sufficed for the cure."
- 3 Having the breast conspicuously colored. not-comparable
"the pectoral sandpiper"
Adjective
- 1 of or relating to the chest or thorax wordnet
Example
More examples"To work your pectoral muscles try doing thirty push-ups."
Etymology
All senses are ultimately from Latin pectorālis, but some may have come through Old French and Middle English.
Related phrases
More for "pectoral"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.