posterior

1 of 2

adjective

pos·​te·​ri·​or pō-ˈstir-ē-ər 

pä-

1

: later in time : subsequent

2

: situated behind: such as

a

: caudal

b

of the human body or its parts : dorsal

3

of a plant part : adaxial, superior

posteriorly adverb

posterior

2 of 2

noun

pos·​te·​ri·​or pä-ˈstir-ē-ər 

pō-

: the hinder parts of the body

specifically : buttocks

Did you know?

Posterior comes from the Latin word posterus, meaning "coming after". Posterior is often used as a technical term in biology and medicine to refer to the back side of things, and is the opposite of anterior, which refers to the front side. For example, as more people took up running as a sport, doctors began to see an increase in stress fractures along the posterior as well as the anterior surface of the lower leg bones. In some technical fields, posterior may mean "later". When used as a noun, posterior simply means "buttocks".

Synonyms

Adjective

• aft
• after
• back
• hind
• hinder
• hindmost
• rear
• rearward

Noun

• backside
• behind
• booty [slang]
• bootie
• bottom
• breech
• bum
• buns
• butt
• buttocks
• caboose
• can
• cheeks
• derriere
• derrière
• duff
• fanny
• fundament
• hams
• haunches
• heinie [slang]
• hunkers
• keister [slang]
• keester
• nates
• rear
• rear end
• rump
• seat
• tail
• tail end
• tush [slang]

Examples of posterior in a Sentence

Adjective

the posterior part of the brain

the chapel's posterior location in the church serves to make it a quiet retreat

Noun

The man squeezed his large posterior into the chair.

the baseball players were always slapping one another on the posterior

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The primary movers during this lift are the posterior chain muscles, specifically the gluteus maximus (butt muscles), hamstrings, and erector spinae of the lower back (muscles on either side of the spine). —Jakob Roze, Health, 5 Dec. 2024

Benefits of Deadlifts: Strengthens the posterior chain (back, glutes, hamstrings) for better posture and power. —Fred Sassani, Austin American-Statesman, 15 Nov. 2024

Noun

Use the angle of his posterior to approximate what his pelvis is doing and there’s obviously a difference in the underlying mechanics pre- and post-surgery. —Eno Sarris, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024

The choreography and puppetry merge in such extraordinary spectacles as a graceful gazelle or a hyena scooting on its posterior. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin, comparative of posterus coming after, from post after — more at post-

First Known Use

Adjective

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing posterior

• posterior chamber
• posterior cruciate ligament

Kids Definition

posterior

1 of 2 adjective

pos·​te·​ri·​or pō-ˈstir-ē-ər 

pä-

1

: later in time : subsequent

2

: located behind or toward the back

posteriorly adverb

posterior

2 of 2 noun

pos·​te·​ri·​or pä-ˈstir-ē-ər 

pō-

: the hind end of the body

especially : buttock sense 2a

Medical Definition

posterior

1 of 2 adjective

pos·​te·​ri·​or pō-ˈstir-ē-ər, pä- 

: situated behind: as

a

: situated at or toward the hind part of the body : caudal

b

: dorsal

—used of human anatomy in which the upright posture makes dorsal and caudal identical

posterior

2 of 2 noun

pos·​te·​ri·​or pä-ˈstir-ē-ər, pō- 

: a posterior thing or part: as

a

: the rear end of a quadruped

b

: buttocks