gastrocnemius
noun
gas·troc·ne·mi·us
ˌga-(ˌ)sträk-ˈnē-mē-əs 
-strək-
plural gastrocnemii
ˌga-(ˌ)sträk-ˈnē-mē-ˌī
-strək-
: the largest and most superficial muscle of the calf of the leg arising by two heads from the condyles of the femur and attaching to a tendon that becomes part of the Achilles tendon
Examples of gastrocnemius in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Standing Calf Raises This exercise focuses on the gastrocnemius and soleus, or the calf muscles.
—
Jakob Roze, Health, 24 Sep. 2025
This includes the hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, and calf (gastrocnemius) muscles.14
7.
—Tim Petrie, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2025
Well, the two major calf muscles, namely the gastrocnemius and soleus, are literally connected to the Achilles tendon.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
The Achilles tendon, which connects your heel bone to the gastrocnemius and soleus, runs from the heel to the middle of your calf.
—Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 12 Apr. 2025
Also the muscle-tendon complex, composed of the gastrocnemius muscle and the Achilles’ tendon that cross the knee joint and the ankle joint contributes much to the movements such as running and jumping particularly.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2015
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Jakob Roze, Health, 24 Sep. 2025
This includes the hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, and calf (gastrocnemius) muscles.14
7.
—Tim Petrie, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2025
Well, the two major calf muscles, namely the gastrocnemius and soleus, are literally connected to the Achilles tendon.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
The Achilles tendon, which connects your heel bone to the gastrocnemius and soleus, runs from the heel to the middle of your calf.
—Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 12 Apr. 2025
Also the muscle-tendon complex, composed of the gastrocnemius muscle and the Achilles’ tendon that cross the knee joint and the ankle joint contributes much to the movements such as running and jumping particularly.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2015
Cite this Entry
“Gastrocnemius.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gastrocnemius. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gastrocnemius
noun
gas·troc·ne·mi·us
ˌgas-(ˌ)träk-ˈnē-mē-əs
-trək-
plural gastrocnemii
-mē-ˌī
: the largest muscle of the calf of the leg that points the toe and flexes the leg below the knee
Medical Definition
gastrocnemius
noun
gas·troc·ne·mi·us
ˌgas-(ˌ)träk-ˈnē-mē-əs, -trək-
plural gastrocnemii
-mē-ˌī
: the largest and most superficial muscle of the calf of the leg that arises by two heads from the condyles of the femur and has its tendon of insertion incorporated as part of the Achilles tendon
called also gastrocnemius muscle
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