# pectoral

/ˈpɛktɝəɫ/ (US) · /pˈɛktəɹəl/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pectoral
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a large, flat muscle on the front of your chest. It helps you move your arms forward and across your body.

For teachers: a large, triangular muscle situated on the anterior surface of the thorax. In a zoological context, it refers to the corresponding muscle in birds and other animals, often associated with flight.

## Examples

- The pectoral muscle is very strong in swimmers.
- The athlete's training program focuses heavily on strengthening the pectoral muscles to improve his bench press performance.
- In avian anatomy, the pectoral muscles are divided into two distinct groups: the large, powerful muscles responsible for the downstroke of flight and the smaller ones that handle the upstroke.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.