cadaver

noun

ca·​dav·​er kə-ˈda-vər 

: a dead body

especially : one intended for dissection

cadaveric

kə-ˈdav-rik 

-ˈda-və-

adjective

Synonyms of cadaver

• corpse

Examples of cadaver in a Sentence

medical students who train by using cadavers

Recent Examples on the Web

Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins said Thursday that the department had shared the information about the cadaver dog with the lead investigators before leaving the scene after the fire. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026

The search began Monday, and involves investigators from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, the FBI and the State Attorney's Office, who are excavating an area at Dry Creek Ranch after cadaver dogs alerted them during a recent search. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026

Once a donated cadaver can no longer be used by UCSD, the remains are cremated and scattered or interred in a manner consistent with state law, the university says. — Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2026

Their test subject was reportedly a moose cadaver. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from cadere to fall

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cadaver

noun

ca·​dav·​er kə-ˈdav-ər 

: a dead body especially of a person : corpse

Medical Definition

cadaver

noun

ca·​dav·​er kə-ˈdav-ər 

plural cadavers also cadavera -ə-rə 

: a dead body

specifically : one intended for use in medical education or research

cadaveric

-(ə-)rik 

adjective