abdomen

noun

Save Word

ab·do·men | \ ˈab-də-mən

, -ˌdō-; əb-ˈdō-mən, ab-

plural abdomens

Definition of abdomen

1 : the part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis … well-defined reddish lesions that can appear anywhere on the body but most often on the thighs and abdomen …— Susan Logan-McCracken also : the cavity of the abdomen that is lined by peritoneum, is bounded above by the diaphragm, anteriorly by a wall of muscle and tissue, and posteriorly by the spinal column, is continuous below with the pelvic cavity, and contains many of the visceral organs and especially those involved in digestion (such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and intestines) : abdominal cavity Removal of the gallbladder—a pear-shaped sac in the right side of your abdomen—has little adverse effect on digestion. — The Mayo Clinic Health Letter

2 : the posterior section of the body behind the thorax in an arthropod On a nearby table was a … dish of ants that looked familiar except that they had been feeding on peach nectar and the abdomen of each was a large, swollen, translucent sac. — The New Yorker — see insect illustration

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About abdomen

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of abdomen in a Sentence

showed us a tiny tattoo on her abdomen, right next to her belly button

Recent Examples on the Web Weggemann was just 18 when she was paralyzed from the abdomen down after receiving an epidural injection to treat back pain. — Thomas Oide, Star Tribune, 14 June 2021 Despite being a very common, harmless skin condition that causes lumpy, dimpled flesh on the thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen, cellulite is the No.1 area of concern for many women (and men) when bathing suit season begins. — Angela Lei, Forbes, 2 June 2021 The coroner’s office described a series of bruises on Alcantara’s body that were unexplained, including contusions to his chest and abrasions on his upper back, right shoulder and lower abdomen. — Jeff Mcdonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2021 King was stripped of his olive green uniform; there was a blood stain under his head; and even though he was not shot below the abdomen, the photographer included his genitals in the frame. — Alexa Mills, Washington Post, 28 May 2021 Average risk means not having a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps, inflammatory bowel disease or past radiation treatment to the abdomen or pelvic area for a prior cancer. — Darcel Rockett, chicagotribune.com, 20 May 2021 The muscles in your thighs, buttocks, and abdomen should be relaxed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine explains. — Griffin Wynne, SELF, 11 May 2021 Styled in a cream-colou\red corset and trench coat, Eilish showed off a large tattoo on her upper thigh and abdomen. — Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, 3 May 2021 The victim suffered burns on 50% to 60% of her body, with her face, chest, arms, thighs and abdomen suffering third-degree burns, leaving her in critical condition, according to the criminal complaint. — Elliot Hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abdomen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for abdomen

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin abdōmen "fat underpart of an animal, belly, paunch," of uncertain origin

Note: Often seen as a derivative of abdere, "to hide, conceal," i.e., "that which is hidden," based on a nominal ablaut form *dhoh₁- from the root *dheh₁- "put." However, Latin abdōmen refers primarily to a body part of animals, and more or less humorously of humans; such usage suggests something prominent rather than something concealed, so the derivation looks somewhat unlikely.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More About abdomen

Dictionary Entries Near abdomen

Statistics for abdomen

Last Updated

18 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Abdomen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abdomen. Accessed 21 Jun. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for abdomen

abdomen

noun

English Language Learners Definition of abdomen

: the part of the body below the chest that contains the stomach and other organs

: the rear part of an insect's body

See the full definition for abdomen in the English Language Learners Dictionary

abdomen

noun

ab·do·men | \ ˈab-də-mən

, ab-ˈdō- \

Kids Definition of abdomen

1 : the part of the body between the chest and the hips including the cavity containing the stomach and other digestive organs

2 : the hind part of the body of an arthropod (as an insect)

abdomen

noun

ab·do·men | \ ˈab-də-mən, -ˌdō-; əb-ˈdō-mən, ab-

Medical Definition of abdomen

1a : the part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis with the exception of the back

— called also belly

b : the cavity of this part of the trunk lined by the peritoneum, enclosed by the body walls, the diaphragm, and the pelvic floor, and containing the visceral organs (as the stomach, intestines, and liver)

c : the portion of this cavity between the diaphragm and the brim of the pelvis — compare pelvic cavity

2 : the posterior often elongated region of the body behind the thorax in arthropods