anatomy
noun
anat·o·my
ə-ˈna-tə-mē 
plural anatomies
1
: a branch of morphology that deals with the structure of organisms
2
: a treatise on anatomical science or art
3
: the art of separating the parts of an organism in order to ascertain their position, relations, structure, and function : dissection
4
obsolete
: a body dissected or to be dissected
5
: structural makeup especially of an organism or any of its parts
the anatomy of birds
human anatomy
6
: a separating or dividing into parts for detailed examination : analysis
the anatomy of a marriage
Examples of anatomy in a Sentence
We had to take a class on anatomy.
learning about the anatomies of different types of birds
learning about the anatomy of an earthquake
Recent Examples on the Web
Damage and inaccurate anatomy are just two factors Pardington faces.
—
Tom Page, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
In discussions about surgical techniques, both open and closed rhinoplasty remain standard approaches, with patient education increasingly emphasizing that the choice depends on an individual’s anatomy, goals, and functional needs rather than a universal preference for one technique.
—Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
The development of language required more neck space to house the anatomy associated with speech.
—Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
The people who consider the Patterson-Gimlin film the real deal, at least the ones Evans spoke with, are not just smart but experts, among them a professor of anatomy, Jeff Meldrum, and a Hollywood makeup and VFX specialist, Bill Munns.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anatomy
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Tom Page, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
In discussions about surgical techniques, both open and closed rhinoplasty remain standard approaches, with patient education increasingly emphasizing that the choice depends on an individual’s anatomy, goals, and functional needs rather than a universal preference for one technique.
—Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
The development of language required more neck space to house the anatomy associated with speech.
—Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
The people who consider the Patterson-Gimlin film the real deal, at least the ones Evans spoke with, are not just smart but experts, among them a professor of anatomy, Jeff Meldrum, and a Hollywood makeup and VFX specialist, Bill Munns.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anatomy
Cite this Entry
“Anatomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anatomy. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
anatomy
noun
anat·o·my
ə-ˈnat-ə-mē
plural anatomies
1
: a branch of knowledge that deals with the structure of organisms
also
: a book on bodily structure
2
: structural makeup especially of an organism or any of its parts
anatomic
adjective
ˌan-ə-ˈtäm-ik
or anatomical
-ˈtäm-i-kəl
Medical Definition
anatomy
noun
anat·o·my
ə-ˈnat-ə-mē
plural anatomies
1
: a branch of morphology that deals with the structure of organisms compare physiology sense 1
2
: a treatise on anatomic science or art
3
: the art of separating the parts of an organism in order to ascertain their position, relations, structure, and function : dissection
4
: structural makeup especially of an organism or any of its parts
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