anatomy

noun

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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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About anatomy

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 reason that Omicron is milder may be a matter of anatomy. — New York Times, 31 Dec. 2021 The reason that omicron is milder may be a matter of anatomy. — Carl Zimmer, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Dec. 2021 Any mutation in that anatomy of the virus could potentially mean higher transmissibility, decreased effectiveness of vaccines, or even more severe infections. — Manavi Kapur, Quartz, 26 Nov. 2021 But no birds, fish or reptiles today sport this extreme and ever-growing bit of anatomy. — Katie Hunt, CNN, 26 Oct. 2021 Women suffer from incontinence twice as often as men due to differences in physical anatomy, according to the US. — Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 7 Apr. 2021 First, a quick eye anatomy lesson: The front of the human eye is covered with a tear film that has a few different layers, Scott P. Drexler, OD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, tells Health. — Amy Marturana Winderl, Health.com, 8 Dec. 2021 Many are fanned out across the carapace of the fountain, which forms a curvy, bulbous shape around it, resembling a 3D rendering of an organ from an anatomy book. — New York Times, 26 Oct. 2021 To begin a training routine, your pelvic health physical therapist will typically start with a mini anatomy lesson and initial evaluation, usually between 45 minutes to an hour. — Claire Sibonney, SELF, 29 Sep. 2021

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.