plural bodies
1
a
: the main part of a plant or animal body especially as distinguished from limbs and head : trunk
held her arms close to her body
a bird with a yellow body and head and black markings on its wings
b
: the main, central, or principal part: such as
(1)
architecture
: the nave of a church
(2)
: the bed or box of a vehicle on or in which the load is placed
(3)
: the enclosed or partly enclosed part of an automobile
the truck's body, hood, and fenders
2
a
: the organized physical substance of an animal or plant either living or dead
She has a muscular body.
body parts
normal body temperature
: such as
(1)
: the material part or nature of a human being
when the soul leaves the body
(2)
: a dead organism : corpse
The body was shipped home for burial.
b
: a human being : person
What's a body to do?
3
a
: a mass of matter distinct from other masses
a body of water
the movements of celestial bodies
b
: something that embodies or gives concrete reality to a thing
his intuitions of the future may still give body to a better world—
New York Times
New York Times
also
: a sensible object in physical space
4
a
clothing
: the part of a garment covering the trunk or torso
the body of a wet suit
b
: the main part of a literary or journalistic work : text sense 2b
The body of the article is devoted to an analysis of the problem.
c
: the sound box or pipe of a musical instrument
5
: a group of persons or things: such as
a
: a fighting unit : force
a body of cavalry
b
: a group of individuals organized for some purpose
a legislative body
the university's student body
6
a
: fullness and richness of flavor (as of wine)
a wine with full body
b
: viscosity, consistency
—used especially of oils and grease
c
: denseness, fullness, or firmness of texture
Her hair lacks body and shine.
d
music
: fullness or resonance (see resonance sense 2) of a musical tone
bodied; bodying
1
: to give form or shape to : embody
2
3
basketball, informal
: to use one's body to forcefully block or move (an opposing player)
If Jordan spins past him or bodies him away, Russell won't give up on the play.—Ian Thomsen
—often used with upIan ThomsenThe most physical player this side of Shaq, Artest not only bodies up forwards but also has the quickness to defend shooting guards.—L. Jon Wertheim
L. Jon Wertheim
Synonyms
Examples of body in a Sentence
Noun
a part of the body
Her body is very muscular.
A bird's body is covered in feathers.
This species has a black body and a white head.
She held her arms tightly against her body.
There was extensive damage to the truck's body.
The body of the bus is almost entirely rusted out.
Verb
abstract sculpture that bodies forth the artist's aesthetic of minimalism
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Recent Examples on the WebNykia Spradley, Glamour, 21 Sep. 2023
State troopers found his body the following morning in his overturned and submerged Jeep Gladiator, local media reported.
—Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023
There are body makeup products, however, that are formulated to be used on the face and the body.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
Multiple experts compared this phrasing to saying that a body of water holds enough water to drown a state's worth of people.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023
The world has already warmed about one degree above pre-industrial levels, according to the international body.
—Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 21 Sep. 2023
Turning to laxatives for weight loss can lead to serious side effects since losing water in the body can lead to dehydration and disrupt body functions.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 21 Sep. 2023
Novak also finds time to go surfing on weekends when his body has not been battered.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
The bodies of Kaylee and Maddie were on the third floor in the same single bed in Maddie's room.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2023
Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
That was textbook work by the corner, who bodied Parker and just took the ball away from him.
—Christopher Price, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
Majority White voting bodies lead to unconscious bias As for why these mainstream awards are slow to reward and recognize diverse talent, the answer is often in the awards bodies themselves.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 11 Mar. 2023
Riley went after similar effects in rendering images of a young girl absorbed in a book, her head and body an assembly of blocky forms in gradations of gray, from pure white to deepest black, or of trees rising as hulking forms silhouetted along a riverbank, almost like reclining bodies.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2023
Never a volume automaker, Talbot-Lago produced only 35 examples of the T26 Grand Sport, of which only three were bodied with open coachwork on the desirable short-wheelbase chassis.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 5 June 2023
Doniak bodied past a defender to collect Shaw’s pinpointed pass at the top of the box, maintained possession while creating an angle left of the goal and netted her second score this season, fifth in 25 matches with the Wave and 17th in her seven-year NWSL career.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2023
In the dying embers of stoppage time, Bruin bodied Timbers center back Larrys Mabiala through the box and put home his header, stunning the Providence Park crowd and sending Portland to the locker room with a sour taste in its mouth despite what was previously a strong performance.
—oregonlive, 7 May 2023
Of course, Teyana Taylor would quite literally body her Met Gala look.
—Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 4 May 2023
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Noun
There are size-inclusive jeans options for every body type and style preference—and what’s even more helpful are the customer ratings and reviews that offer tips on fit and durability.
—Nykia Spradley, Glamour, 21 Sep. 2023
State troopers found his body the following morning in his overturned and submerged Jeep Gladiator, local media reported.
—Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023
There are body makeup products, however, that are formulated to be used on the face and the body.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
Multiple experts compared this phrasing to saying that a body of water holds enough water to drown a state's worth of people.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023
The world has already warmed about one degree above pre-industrial levels, according to the international body.
—Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 21 Sep. 2023
Turning to laxatives for weight loss can lead to serious side effects since losing water in the body can lead to dehydration and disrupt body functions.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 21 Sep. 2023
Novak also finds time to go surfing on weekends when his body has not been battered.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
The bodies of Kaylee and Maddie were on the third floor in the same single bed in Maddie's room.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2023
Verb
Several other surfers, including the one nearly bodied by the spinner shark, seemed unbothered.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
That was textbook work by the corner, who bodied Parker and just took the ball away from him.
—Christopher Price, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
Majority White voting bodies lead to unconscious bias As for why these mainstream awards are slow to reward and recognize diverse talent, the answer is often in the awards bodies themselves.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 11 Mar. 2023
Riley went after similar effects in rendering images of a young girl absorbed in a book, her head and body an assembly of blocky forms in gradations of gray, from pure white to deepest black, or of trees rising as hulking forms silhouetted along a riverbank, almost like reclining bodies.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2023
Never a volume automaker, Talbot-Lago produced only 35 examples of the T26 Grand Sport, of which only three were bodied with open coachwork on the desirable short-wheelbase chassis.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 5 June 2023
Doniak bodied past a defender to collect Shaw’s pinpointed pass at the top of the box, maintained possession while creating an angle left of the goal and netted her second score this season, fifth in 25 matches with the Wave and 17th in her seven-year NWSL career.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2023
In the dying embers of stoppage time, Bruin bodied Timbers center back Larrys Mabiala through the box and put home his header, stunning the Providence Park crowd and sending Portland to the locker room with a sour taste in its mouth despite what was previously a strong performance.
—oregonlive, 7 May 2023
Of course, Teyana Taylor would quite literally body her Met Gala look.
—Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 4 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'body.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Old English bodig; akin to Old High German boteh corpse
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of body was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing body
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Dictionary Entries Near body
Cite this Entry
“Body.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/body. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
body
nounˈbäd-ē
plural bodies
1
a
: the physical whole of a living or dead organism
b
: the trunk or main part of an organism
c
: a human being : person
2
: the main or central part
the body of a truck
the body of a letter
3
: the section of a garment covering the main part of the body
4
: a mass or portion of matter different from other masses
a body of water
a body of cold air
5
: a group of persons or things with a common aim or character
a body of troops
a body of laws
6
: richness or fullness of flavor or texture
Medical Definition
body
noun
plural bodies
1
a
: the organized physical substance of an animal or plant either living or dead: as
(1)
: the material part or nature of a human being
(2)
: a dead organism : corpse
b
: a human being
2
a
: the main part of a plant or animal body especially as distinguished from limbs and head : trunk
b
: the main part of an organ (as the uterus)
3
: a kind or form of matter : a material substance
More from Merriam-Webster on body
Nglish: Translation of body for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of body for Arabic Speakers
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