anatomy

noun

anat·​o·​my ə-ˈna-tə-mē How to pronounce anatomy (audio)
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
7
a(1)
(2)
: mummy
b
: the human body
wore an outfit that showed off various parts of her 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Much blood, and one poor Porky had been cut down the middle as neatly as an anatomy drawing in the medical textbook. John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025 One of the highlights is a digital and virtual anatomy laboratory with Sectra tables, which utilize technology to allow students to see a 3D model of the human body and assist with their clinical understanding and future practice. Chase Jordan july 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2025 San Francisco Ballet dancer Lleyton Ho didn’t have to use much imagination to play a frantic university student studying anatomy with Victor Frankenstein. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 July 2025 So, here is the anatomy of a wonder goal and a wonder save. Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for anatomy

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin anatomia dissection, from Greek anatomē, from anatemnein to dissect, from ana- + temnein to cut

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anatomy was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anatomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anatomy. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

anatomy

noun
anat·​o·​my ə-ˈnat-ə-mē How to pronounce anatomy (audio)
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
ˌan-ə-ˈtäm-ik
adjective
or anatomical
-ˈtäm-i-kəl
anatomically adverb

Medical Definition

anatomy

noun
anat·​o·​my ə-ˈnat-ə-mē How to pronounce anatomy (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on anatomy

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