gluteus maximus

noun

gluteus max·i·mus -ˈmak-sə-məs

plural glutei maximi -ˈmak-sə-ˌmī

: 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.

Three muscles—namely the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus—essentially form the Rear Admiral back there. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 10 Mar. 2026 The shape of the gluteus maximus muscle—the largest muscle in the human body—changes with lifestyle and aging factors and conditions like osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes, which the team have dug deeper into. — Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025 Lateral Lunge Research points to a link between weak gluteus medius muscles (the smaller butt muscles located above and outside the gluteus maximus) and issues like lower back pain and knee injuries. — Jenessa Connor, Health, 10 June 2026 This move works all three of your glute muscles, including the gluteus maximus (the biggest butt muscle), as well as the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus (two smaller muscles that form your side butt and help stabilize your hips), Reiner says. — Jenny McCoy, Outside, 17 Mar. 2026 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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Browse Nearby Words

gluteus

gluteus maximus

glut herring

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Gluteus maximus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gluteus%20maximus. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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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

plural glutei maximi -sə-ˌmī

: 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

gluteus maximus

noun

Examples of gluteus maximus in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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