obesity

noun

obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sə-tē How to pronounce obesity (audio)
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It’s linked to higher rates of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, digestive disorders, autoimmune disease, dementia, depression, Parkinson’s, cancer—and, of course, insomnia. Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 Risk factors for colon cancer include age, family history, a diet high in red meat, and obesity. Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Oct. 2025 Habitually sleeping more than nine or ten hours has been linked to higher risks of obesity, metabolic problems and even mortality, though such findings may reflect underlying health issues rather than sleep itself. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025 The share of very large firms covering these drugs for obesity soared to 43% this year, up from 28% last year, according to KFF’s latest annual Employer Health Benefits Survey, which was released on Wednesday. Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obesity

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of obesity was circa 1611

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Obesity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obesity. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

obesity

noun
obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sət-ē How to pronounce obesity (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on obesity

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