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¹body

noun \ˈbä-dē\

: a person's or animal's whole physical self

: a dead person or animal

: the main physical part of a person or animal

plural bod·ies

Full Definition of BODY

a : the main part of a plant or animal body especially as distinguished from limbs and head : trunk

b : the main, central, or principal part: as (1) : the nave of a church (2) : the bed or box of a vehicle on or in which the load is placed (3) : the enclosed or partly enclosed part of an automobile

a : the organized physical substance of an animal or plant either living or dead: as (1) : the material part or nature of a human being (2) : a dead organism : corpse

b : a human being : person

a : a mass of matter distinct from other masses <a body of water>

b : something that embodies or gives concrete reality to a thing; also : a sensible object in physical space

c : aggregate, quantity <a body of evidence>

a : the part of a garment covering the body or trunk

b : the main part of a literary or journalistic work : text 2b

c : the sound box or pipe of a musical instrument

: a group of persons or things: as

a : a fighting unit : force

b : a group of individuals organized for some purpose <a legislative body>

a : fullness and richness of flavor (as of wine)

b : viscosity, consistency —used especially of oils and grease

c : denseness, fullness, or firmness of texture

d : fullness or resonance of a musical tone

See body defined for English-language learners

See body defined for kids

Origin of BODY

Middle English, from Old English bodig; akin to Old High German boteh corpse

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BODY

Synonyms: brunt, bulk, chief, core, generality, heft [archaic], main, mass, staple, weight

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with BODY

cloddy, gaudy, Mahdi, noddy, shoddy, toddy, waddy, wadi

²body

verb

bod·iedbody·ing

Definition of BODY

transitive verb

: to give form or shape to : embody

: represent, symbolize —usually used with forth

First Known Use of BODY

15th century

Related to BODY

Synonyms: embody, epitomize, express, externalize, incarnate, incorporate, instantiate, manifest, materialize, personalize, personify, substantiate

Antonyms: disembody

Rhymes with BODY

gaudy, shoddy, waddy

BODY Defined for Kids

body

noun \ˈbä-dē\

plural bod·ies

Definition of BODY for Kids

: the physical whole of a live or dead person or animal <the human body>

: the main part of a person, animal, or plant <She held her arms tightly against her body.>

: a human being <The resort offered everything a body could want.>

: the main or central part <the body of a letter>

: the main part of a motor vehicle

: a group of persons or things united for some purpose <a body of troops>

: a mass or portion of something distinct from other masses <a body of water>

— bod·ied \ˈbäd-ēd\ adjective <long-bodied animals>

Medical Dictionary

body

noun \ˈbäd-ē\

plural bod·ies

Medical Definition of BODY

a : the organized physical substance of an animal or plant either living or dead: as (1) : the material part or nature of a human being (2) : a dead organism : corpse b : a human being

a : the main part of a plant or animal body especially as distinguished from limbs and head : trunk b : the main part of an organ (as the uterus)

: a kind or form of matter : a material substance—see ketone body