bicep muscle

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The large muscle at the front of the upper arm that bends the elbow.

   Grammar: Countable; plural is 'bicep muscles' or simply 'biceps' (which is both singular and plural).

   Patterns

   • the bicep muscle
   • a bicep muscle
   • bicep muscles

   He flexed his bicep muscle to show off his strength.

   The bicep muscle contracts when you lift something heavy.

   She felt a sharp pain in her bicep muscle after the workout.

2. 2nouncountabletechnical

   The corresponding muscle in the back of the upper arm (technically the biceps brachii).

   Grammar: Often used in medical or fitness contexts; 'bicep muscle' can refer to either the front or back muscle, but usually the front.

   Patterns

   • the bicep muscle
   • bicep muscles

   The doctor examined the bicep muscle for any signs of injury.

   Strengthening the bicep muscle can improve your ability to carry groceries.

Word forms

Common combinations

flex your bicep muscle

He flexed his bicep muscle to impress his friends.

torn bicep muscle

The athlete suffered a torn bicep muscle during the game.

bicep muscle strain

Lifting that heavy box gave him a bicep muscle strain.

build bicep muscle

He does curls to build bicep muscle.

Synonyms and how they differ

biceps

The standard anatomical term; 'bicep muscle' is a common informal variant.

biceps brachii

The full technical name for the muscle; used in medical contexts.

Opposites

Word family

biceps noun

The muscle itself; often used as both singular and plural.

bicep noun

Informal shortening of 'bicep muscle'.

Commonly confused: bicep muscle or tricep muscle?

Practice

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