pectoral
/pɛkˈtoɹəl/adjective, noun
pectoral is spelled P-E-C-T-O-R-A-L: 8 letters and 3 syllables. It appears about once in every 1 million words in written English, the 32,393rd most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adjective, pectoral means “Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in pectoral?
| Letters | 8: P-E-C-T-O-R-A-L |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 3 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 1 million words; the 32,393rd most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Rhymes with |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is pectoral?
Pectoral appears about once in every 1 million words in written English, the 32,393rd most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce pectoral?
- /ˈpɛk.tə.ɹəl/
- US /pɛkˈtoɹəl/
Pectoral has 3 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-pectoral.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
What rhymes with pectoral?
2 words on PlainSpell end in the same sounds as pectoral from its last stressed vowel (/oɹəl/):
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of pectoral
- pectorals plural
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does pectoral mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adjective
- 1
Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest.
the pectoral muscles
- 2
Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs.
- 3
Having the breast conspicuously colored.
the pectoral sandpiper
noun
- 1
A pectoral fin.
- 2
Protective armor for a horse's breast.
- 3
A covering or protection for the breast.
- 4
A breastplate, especially that worn by the Jewish high priest.
- 5
A clasp, cross, or ornamental square of cloth etc. worn upon the breast.
- 6
An ancient Egyptian item of jewelry worn upon the chest, often part of (or constituting) a necklace or collar.
- 7
A medicine for diseases of the chest organs, especially the lungs.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Pectoral in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
In the sense of or pertaining to the breast or chest:
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does pectoral come from?
All senses are ultimately from Latin pectorālis, but some may have come through Old French and Middle English.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).