body mass index

noun

: a measure of body fat that is the ratio of the weight of the body in kilograms to the square of its height in meters

Examples of body mass index in a Sentence

A person with a body mass index of more than 30 is considered to be obese.

Recent Examples on the Web

Patients will first need prior authorization -- prescribing clinicians will submit documentation proving the patient meets strict body mass index (BMI) and health condition requirements. — Sony Salzman, ABC News, 1 July 2026

The disease is often associated with severe obesity, defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 30 June 2026

One national survey of over 5,000 participants found that people who exercised in the morning tended to have a lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference as compared to midday and evening exercisers. — Jenessa Connor, Health, 26 June 2026

Those who had these genetic issues had higher body mass index (BMI) and body mass on average, and were more likely to have type 1 diabetes and other metabolic issues. — Nadine Wehida, Scientific American, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

body mass index

noun

: a measure of body fat that is the ratio of the weight of the body in kilograms to the square of its height in meters

Medical Definition

body mass index

noun

: a measure of body fat that is the ratio of the weight of the body in kilograms to the square of its height in meters

a body mass index in adults of 25 to 29.9 is considered an indication of overweight, and 30 or more an indication of obesity

—abbreviation BMI

called also Quetelet index