body

1 of 2

noun

ˈbä-dē 

plural bodies

1

a

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

held her arms close to her body

a bird with a yellow body and head and black markings on its wings

b

: the main, central, or principal part: such as

(1)

architecture : 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

the truck's body, hood, and fenders

2

a

: the organized physical substance of an animal or plant either living or dead

She has a muscular body.

body parts

normal body temperature

: such as

(1)

: the material part or nature of a human being

when the soul leaves the body

(2)

: a dead organism : corpse

The body was shipped home for burial.

b

: a human being : person

What's a body to do?

3

a

: a mass of matter distinct from other masses

a body of water

the movements of celestial bodies

b

: something that embodies or gives concrete reality to a thing

his intuitions of the future may still give body to a better world

—New York Times

also : a sensible object in physical space

c

: aggregate, quantity

a body of evidence

4

a

clothing : the part of a garment covering the trunk or torso

the body of a wet suit

b

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

The body of the article is devoted to an analysis of the problem.

c

: the sound box or pipe of a musical instrument

5

: a group of persons or things: such as

a

: a fighting unit : force

a body of cavalry

b

: a group of individuals organized for some purpose

a legislative body

the university's student body

6

a

: fullness and richness of flavor (as of wine)

a wine with full body

b

: viscosity, consistency

—used especially of oils and grease

c

: denseness, fullness, or firmness of texture

Her hair lacks body and shine.

d

music : fullness or resonance (see resonance sense 2) of a musical tone

body

2 of 2

verb

bodied; bodying

transitive verb

1

: to give form or shape to : embody

2

: represent, symbolize

—usually used with forth

never been a poet who enjoyed the sensuous world with more gusto … or who more solidly bodied it forth

—Edmund Wilson

3

basketball, informal : to use one's body to forcefully block or move (an opposing player)

If Jordan spins past him or bodies him away, Russell won't give up on the play.

—Ian Thomsen

—often used with up

The most physical player this side of Shaq, Artest not only bodies up forwards but also has the quickness to defend shooting guards.

—L. Jon Wertheim

Synonyms

Noun

• brunt
• bulk
• chief
• core
• generality
• heft [archaic]
• main
• mass
• staple
• weight

Verb

• embody
• epitomize
• express
• externalize
• incarnate
• incorporate
• instantiate
• manifest
• materialize
• personalize
• personify
• substantiate

Examples of body in a Sentence

Noun

a part of the body

Her body is very muscular.

A bird's body is covered in feathers.

This species has a black body and a white head.

She held her arms tightly against her body.

There was extensive damage to the truck's body.

The body of the bus is almost entirely rusted out.

Verb

abstract sculpture that bodies forth the artist's aesthetic of minimalism

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At least five hundred children died while attending the schools, and at least fifty-three of the schools have burial sites, filled with the bodies of children who were never returned to their families. —Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2024

Paddock says the findings fit with a body of evidence pointing to the benefits of moderate-intensity exercise. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 29 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing body

• Barr body
• basal body
• body and soul
• body bag
• body blow
• body cam
• body camera
• body cavity
• body-centered
• body check
• body clock
• body-con
• body corporate
• body count
• body double
• body English
• body heat
• body-hugging
• body language
• body louse
• body mass index
• body mechanics
• body odor
• body piercing
• body politic
• body roll
• body-shame
• body shamer
• body shaming
• body shirt
• body shop
• body snatcher
• body stocking
• body temperature
• body wall
• body wave
• body wrap
• carotid body
• celestial body
• cell body
• ciliary body
• fat body
• fruiting body
• Golgi body
• heavenly body
• inclusion body
• keep body and soul together
• ketone body
• mamillary body
• mammillary body
• out-of-body
• out-of-body experience
• over one's dead body
• pineal body
• polar body
• sell one's body
• stake body
• student body
• the body politic
• vertebral body
• wide-body

Video

When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

Kids Definition

body

noun

ˈbäd-ē

plural bodies

1

a

: the physical whole of a living or dead organism

b

: the trunk or main part of an organism

c

: a human being : person

2

: the main or central part

the body of a truck

the body of a letter

3

: the section of a garment covering the main part of the body

4

: a mass or portion of matter different from other masses

a body of water

a body of cold air

5

: a group of persons or things with a common aim or character

a body of troops

a body of laws

6

: richness or fullness of flavor or texture

Medical Definition

body

noun

ˈbäd-ē 

plural bodies

1

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

2

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)

3

: a kind or form of matter : a material substance