pectoral fin

noun

: either of the fins of a fish that correspond to the forelimbs of a quadruped

Examples of pectoral fin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, Sharp and the others went from dolphin to dolphin, rolling those that were on their sides onto their bellies and then hand-digging the sand out from beneath the dolphins’ nine-inch pectoral fins so the appendages wouldn’t dislocate. —Jayme Moye, Outside Online, 19 July 2024

The most prized are the first dorsal fin — the largest one, located on the back of the animal — the pectoral fins on the sides of the trunk, and the one at the lower end of the tail. —Angela Posada-Swafford, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2024

After her encounter with the silicone foot, Stingray 12 gets a 10-minute break before her other pectoral fin is stepped on. —Katharine Gammon, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2024

That’s when the hook popped out of its pectoral fin. —Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 19 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pectoral fin

noun

: either of a pair of fins of a fish that correspond to the front limbs of a four-footed animal compare pelvic fin