anatomy

noun

anat·o·my | \ ə-ˈna-tə-mē

plural anatomies

Definition of anatomy

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

7a(1) : skeleton

(2) : mummy

b : the human body wore an outfit that showed off various parts of her anatomy

Other Words from anatomy Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about anatomy

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Other Words from anatomy

anatomical \ ˌa-nə-ˈtä-mi-kəl

\ or anatomic \ -ˈtä-mik

\ adjective

anatomically \ -mi-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

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

The new space will house instructional areas for physics, biology, chemistry, environmental science, anatomy and forensics labs. — Janice Neumann, Daily Southtown, "Marist High School plans to turn monastery into science labs, planetarium," 27 June 2018 Their equine education also included guidance on a horse’s anatomy, how best to use equipment and grooming. — Steve Reaven, chicagotribune.com, "Bill Nack, who chronicled Secretariat, developed a love of horses while growing up in Skokie," 1 May 2018 O'Higgins is also interested in studying the origins of sociality by studying muscular anatomy and function in apes and humans. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "This could be why our eyebrows evolved," 9 Apr. 2018 First up, a little anatomy refresher: Your airways, which extend between your nose and mouth and your lungs, have the very important job of carrying air in and out of your body, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). — Korin Miller, SELF, "7 Surprising Signs You Might Actually Have Asthma," 9 Feb. 2018 The anatomy of your facial features also plays a role. — Talia Abbas, SELF, "Puffy Eyes, Dark Circles, and Bags: Dermatologists Explain the Difference," 8 Aug. 2018 Turns out, men seem to know more about the female anatomy than women do, says Ryan, her blue tortoise-shell eyeglasses clashing pleasingly with her short red pixie. — Kate Branch, Vogue, "Finally, a Video About Breast Self-Exams You’ll Actually Want to Watch," 2 Aug. 2018 For Karam’s play is also an anatomy of our disappearing middle class. — Lily Janiak, San Francisco Chronicle, "Family is a miracle in SHN’s ‘The Humans’," 7 June 2018 Micropenises can be considered an intersex anatomy just as real and normal as any other, yet people who have them are routinely singled out for mockery and disgust in popular culture. — Samantha Riedel, Teen Vogue, "How to Break Away From the Gender Binary," 26 Oct. 2018

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