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
New York Times
also
: a sensible object in physical space
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
bodied; bodying
1
: to give form or shape to : embody
2
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 upIan ThomsenThe 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
L. Jon Wertheim
Synonyms
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 WebLea Skene, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Officers found the victim’s body in the 1100 block of S. 13th Street in Hamilton just after 2:30 p.m. Monday in response to a 911 call.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 5 Apr. 2024
Alcohol can also weaken the body’s ability to fight infections, which is even more concerning after the Covid-19 pandemic had such a big impact on the older population, Koob added.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Antioxidants found in avocados can help the body’s natural antioxidant defense.
Lutein, also found in avocados, is a good source of nutrients for eye health and cognitive function.
—Sina Petri, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
While most of its body is perfectly adapted to blend in with the natural wall of green in the rainforest, its eyes pierce through.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
The exact cause of Mattson’s death was unclear, but the company said her body would be repatriated to her family in the United States with the support of local Zambian authorities and the U.S. Embassy in the capital, Lusaka.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 5 Apr. 2024
The success of the eclipse expedition, a collaboration between an American scholarly organization, a university and a government body, would showcase the strength of the nation’s civil and political institutions and its readiness for independence.
—Yaakov Zinberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
The curvaceous coupé wears an aluminum body that features an extended nose and a driver’s compartment positioned atop the rear wheels.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024
Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
The Toronto Raptors practically skated in transition, picked apart rotation lapses and bodied the small Warriors with length and strength.
—Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2024
Pili tried to body Iriafen to the cup, but Stanford’s player of the game stood her ground and won possession back by tying the center up, effectively cementing the win.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2024
Jerry and Ray may have been a veritable David and Goliath of the death-care industry, but this David’s lethal sling took the outsized form of Willie Gary, a flamboyant personal-injury attorney with little contract-law experience but an impressive track record of bodying the competition.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2023
One of only 26 left-hand-drive examples of the S-Type two-door saloon bodied by H J Mulliner, chassis No.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2023
Several other surfers, including the one nearly bodied by the spinner shark, seemed unbothered.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
That was textbook work by the corner, who bodied Parker and just took the ball away from him.
—Christopher Price, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
Majority White voting bodies lead to unconscious bias As for why these mainstream awards are slow to reward and recognize diverse talent, the answer is often in the awards bodies themselves.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 11 Mar. 2023
Noun
Authorities believe six workers plunged to their deaths in the Patapsco River; two bodies have been recovered so far.
—Lea Skene, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Officers found the victim’s body in the 1100 block of S. 13th Street in Hamilton just after 2:30 p.m. Monday in response to a 911 call.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 5 Apr. 2024
Alcohol can also weaken the body’s ability to fight infections, which is even more concerning after the Covid-19 pandemic had such a big impact on the older population, Koob added.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Antioxidants found in avocados can help the body’s natural antioxidant defense.
Lutein, also found in avocados, is a good source of nutrients for eye health and cognitive function.
—Sina Petri, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
While most of its body is perfectly adapted to blend in with the natural wall of green in the rainforest, its eyes pierce through.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
The exact cause of Mattson’s death was unclear, but the company said her body would be repatriated to her family in the United States with the support of local Zambian authorities and the U.S. Embassy in the capital, Lusaka.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 5 Apr. 2024
The success of the eclipse expedition, a collaboration between an American scholarly organization, a university and a government body, would showcase the strength of the nation’s civil and political institutions and its readiness for independence.
—Yaakov Zinberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
The curvaceous coupé wears an aluminum body that features an extended nose and a driver’s compartment positioned atop the rear wheels.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024
Verb
Kelce is faster than any linebacker and bigger than any defensive back yet would be powerless to get bodied in song should the Swift union dissolve poorly.
—Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
The Toronto Raptors practically skated in transition, picked apart rotation lapses and bodied the small Warriors with length and strength.
—Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2024
Pili tried to body Iriafen to the cup, but Stanford’s player of the game stood her ground and won possession back by tying the center up, effectively cementing the win.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2024
Jerry and Ray may have been a veritable David and Goliath of the death-care industry, but this David’s lethal sling took the outsized form of Willie Gary, a flamboyant personal-injury attorney with little contract-law experience but an impressive track record of bodying the competition.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2023
One of only 26 left-hand-drive examples of the S-Type two-door saloon bodied by H J Mulliner, chassis No.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2023
Several other surfers, including the one nearly bodied by the spinner shark, seemed unbothered.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
That was textbook work by the corner, who bodied Parker and just took the ball away from him.
—Christopher Price, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
Majority White voting bodies lead to unconscious bias As for why these mainstream awards are slow to reward and recognize diverse talent, the answer is often in the awards bodies themselves.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 11 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'body.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of body was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing body
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Dictionary Entries Near body
Cite this Entry
“Body.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/body. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
body
nounˈbäd-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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on body
Nglish: Translation of body for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of body for Arabic Speakers
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