Etymology

Noun

1. Either of the two fleshy organs on the front of a woman's chest, which contain the mammary glands; also the analogous organs in men.

   Tanya's breasts grew alarmingly during pregnancy.

2. The chest, or front of the human thorax.

   The Wedding-Guest here beat his breast,

   For he heard the loud bassoon.

   — Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

3. A section of clothing covering the breast area.
4. The figurative seat of the emotions, feelings etc.; one's heart or innermost thoughts.

   She kindled hope in the breast of all who heard her.

5. The ventral portion of an animal's thorax.

   The robin has a red breast.

6. A choice cut of poultry, especially chicken or turkey, taken from the bird’s breast.

   Would you like breast or wing?

Verb

1. To push against with the breast; to meet full on, to oppose, to face.

   He breasted the hill and saw the town before him.

Related terms

• breastbone
• breaststroke
• abreast
• redbreast

• breast cancer
• breast feeding, breastfeeding
• breast milk, breastmilk
• breastwork