gluteus maximus

noun

gluteus max·​i·​mus -ˈmak-sə-məs How to pronounce gluteus maximus (audio)
plural glutei maximi -ˈmak-sə-ˌmī How to pronounce gluteus maximus (audio)
: the outermost muscle of the three glutei found in each of the human buttocks

Examples of gluteus maximus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The hip extensors include the gluteus maximus and hamstrings. Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 5 June 2025 The gluteus maximus, or glute max, is the body’s largest and most powerful muscle. Dana Santas, CNN Money, 30 May 2025 Glutes: Three glutes muscles make up your butt: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. Danielle Zickl, SELF, 6 Mar. 2025 Squats also target the gluteus maximus muscle in your buttocks. Aubrey Bailey, Pt, Dpt, Cht, Verywell Health, 20 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for gluteus maximus

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, largest gluteus

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gluteus maximus was in 1831

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Cite this Entry

“Gluteus maximus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gluteus%20maximus. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

gluteus maximus

noun
glu·​te·​us max·​i·​mus
ˈglüt-ē-əs-ˈmak-sə-məs,
glü-ˈtē-
plural glutei maximi
ˈglüt-ē-ˌī-ˈmak-sə-ˌmī,
glü-ˈtē-
: the largest and outermost of the three major muscles in each of the human buttocks that extends the thigh and rotates it to the side

Medical Definition

gluteus maximus

noun
gluteus max·​i·​mus -ˈmak-sə-məs How to pronounce gluteus maximus (audio)
plural glutei maximi -sə-ˌmī How to pronounce gluteus maximus (audio)
: the outermost of the three muscles in each buttock that arises from the sacrum, coccyx, back part of the ilium and adjacent structures, that is inserted into the fascia lata of the thigh and the gluteal tuberosity of the femur, and that acts to extend and laterally rotate the thigh

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