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

In both women and men with class III obesity, defined as a BMI of 40 or higher, there was no statistically significant difference in mortality risk. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Under the pilot, many Medicare beneficiaries with a body mass index of 35 or higher — the upper range of obesity — qualify for coverage of one of those drugs, if prescribed. — Jackie Fortiér, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

The Philadelphia policy also avoided the problem of stigma, because the mayor never mentioned concerns about health or obesity, Paarlberg said. — Sarah Todd, STAT, 24 Aug. 2026

The increases are being driven largely by the rising cost of care and medication, particularly cancer treatment and obesity drugs. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 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