carcass

noun

car·​cass ˈkär-kəs 

1

: a dead body : corpse

especially : the dressed body of a meat animal

Butchers trimmed the meat from the carcass.

2

: the living, material, or physical body

It was nearly noon when he finally hauled his carcass out of bed.

3

: the decaying or worthless remains of a structure

the carcass of an abandoned automobile

4

: the underlying structure or frame of something (as of a piece of furniture)

Synonyms of carcass

• corpse

Examples of carcass in a Sentence

the rusting carcass of an old truck

the carcass of a squirrel that had been run over

Recent Examples on the Web

Though researchers have observed evidence of humans hunting large megafauna in later periods, the discovery suggests that early humans processed elephant carcasses more systematically. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

To prevent damage to the dogs in the bear’s dying moments, Metcalfe and Roosevelt finished it with a second shot as the dogs came up and jumped on the carcass. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

This spring, three blue whale carcasses washed up on the Newfoundland shore, spurring a panic about whale explosions. — Naomi Skwarna, hazlitt.net, 13 Aug. 2026

Two of them were killed, and their carcasses were abandoned and left to waste. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English carcays, from Anglo-French carcas, carkeis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for carcass

• arcus

Kids Definition

carcass

noun

car·​cass ˈkär-kəs 

: a dead body

especially : the body of a meat animal prepared for market

Medical Definition

carcass

noun

car·​cass ˈkär-kəs 

: a dead body : corpse

especially : the dressed body of a meat animal