anatomical

adjective

an·​a·​tom·​i·​cal ˌa-nə-ˈtä-mi-kəl How to pronounce anatomical (audio)
variants or less commonly anatomic
: of or relating to anatomy or the body structure of organisms
anatomical studies/structures/mechanisms
The mollusks are divided according to common anatomical traits into seven classes …Carol M. Lalli and Ronald W. Gilmer
Mayberg has been mapping anatomical areas of the brain that are either hyperactive or inactive in depressed men and women.Siddhartha Mukherjee
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by a broad array of physiologic and anatomic abnormalities, but its most notable feature is disturbed glucose metabolism, which results in inappropriate hyperglycemia.George F. Cahill, Jr. et al.
anatomically adverb
… in Africa and possibly in the Middle East, anatomically modern humans were evolving. Rick Gore

Examples of anatomical in a Sentence

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Both had prominent, sail-like structures on their backs, and both had the anatomical hallmarks of a bizarre group of reptiles called drepanosaurs. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2025 Stephen Colbert had a succinct message to President Trump, one that involved an anatomical impossibility. Todd Spangler, Variety, 22 July 2025 The anatomical reference triggered a board investigation in coordination with the university’s Office of Ethics and Compliance. Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 July 2025 The duo leaned into G-Star’s signature anatomical design principles and exaggerated them with a cool wash and moto stitching and seam details. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for anatomical

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anatomical was in 1627

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Cite this Entry

“Anatomical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anatomical. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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