intercostal

UK: /ˌɪntəˈkɒst^əl/ US: (in′tər kos′tl, -kô′stl)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•ter•cos•tal  (in′tər kos′tl, -kô′stl), adj. 

1. pertaining to muscles, parts, or intervals between the ribs.
2. situated between the ribs.
3. Nautical, Naval Terms [Shipbuilding.] noting a structural member situated between or divided by continuous members, as frames or keelsons.

n. 

4. an intercostal muscle, member, or space.

• Neo-Latin intercostālis. See inter-, costal
• 1590–1600

in′ter•cos′tal•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

intercostal / ˌɪntəˈkɒst^əl/ adjective

1. between the ribs: intercostal muscles

Etymology: 16th Century: via New Latin from Latin inter- + costa rib