lat

1 of 3

noun

ˈlat 

plural lats

informal

: a broad, flat muscle of the middle and lower back : latissimus dorsi

—usually plural

In centuries past, people did not act like captive hamsters. If a person chopped wood or ran a long way, it was because he or she needed fuel or wanted to get somewhere. Now we do such things to fit into new pants or develop our lats.

—Rick Telander

lat

2 of 3

abbreviation (1)

latitude

LAT

3 of 3

abbreviation (2)

local apparent time

Examples of lat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Compare a row—where your lats, rhomboids, and biceps are working—to a biceps curl, which, as its name suggests, zeros in on only the muscles in the top of your upper arms. —Christa Sgobba, SELF, 6 Jan. 2025

Start with exercises to strengthen your biceps, triceps, lats, shoulders, hands and core, said Maillard Howell, a personal trainer and gym co-owner in Brooklyn. —Anna Maltby, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025

Drawing your shoulder blades together and engaging your lats, pull your elbows back. —Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 20 Dec. 2024

Banded Row This exercise strengthens your upper back muscles, such as your rear delts and lats, which can improve your ability to control your shoulder blades. —Jakob Roze, Health, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1939, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

lat

noun

ˈlat 

: latissimus dorsi

—usually used in plural