obesity

noun

obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sə-tē 

: a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body

Obesity affects not just appearance, but disease processes as well.

—Malorye Allison

Synonyms of obesity

• fatness
• fat
• weight
• adiposity
• corpulence

Examples of obesity in a Sentence

obesity has been linked to a number of health risks, such as heart disease

Recent Examples on the Web

The American Heart Association said body clock disruptions carry an increased risk of obesity, among other medical issues. — Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Pregnancy and childbirth are costly processes, increasing cardiac output, hypercoagulability, abdominal obesity, and risk of gestational diabetes. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026

The company has more in the pipeline, including a next-generation obesity drug that Lilly plans to file for FDA approval early in 2027. — Deena Zaidi,nick Wells, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

The medical examiner’s office also noted that Bauza lived with sleep apnea and class 2 obesity. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French obesité, borrowed from Latin obēsitāt-, obēsitās, from obēsus "fat, stout" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at obese

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing obesity

• anti-obesity

Medical Definition

obesity

noun

obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sət-ē 

plural obesities

: a condition that is characterized by excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body and that in an adult is typically indicated by a body mass index of 30 or greater