triceps

noun

tri·​ceps ˈtrī-ˌseps 

plural triceps

: a muscle that arises from three heads

especially : the large extensor muscle along the back of the upper arm

Examples of triceps in a Sentence

He felt a pain in his right triceps.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Philadelphia Eagles' superb season hit a bump Sunday night when Brandon Graham tore a triceps, an injury that ended his season. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024

After a quick meeting with his manager and the team’s athletic trainer, the Minnesota Twins right-hander exited Wednesday’s start against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning with right triceps tightness. —Dan Hayes, The Athletic, 7 Aug. 2024

Yamamoto was improving during the season, until he was sidelined with right triceps soreness. —Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024

Samuel and Kittle both missed Sunday’s 27-24 loss at the Los Angeles Rams, where defensive tackle Javon Hargrave sustained a season-ending triceps tear. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin tricipit-, triceps, from Latin, three-headed, from tri- + capit-, caput head — more at head

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

triceps

noun

tri·​ceps ˈtrī-ˌseps 

plural triceps

: a large muscle along the back of the upper arm that is attached at its upper end by three main parts and that acts to extend the arm at the elbow joint

Medical Definition

triceps

noun

tri·​ceps ˈtrī-ˌseps 

plural triceps also tricepses

: a muscle that arises from three heads:

a

: the large extensor muscle that is situated along the back of the upper arm, arises by the long head from the infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula and by two heads from the shaft of the humerus, is inserted into the olecranon at the elbow, and extends the forearm at the elbow joint

called also triceps brachii

b

: the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles viewed as constituting together one muscle

called also triceps surae