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

In the age of GLP-1s where bodies seem to be shrinking left and right, donated cadaver fat is plugging an emerging gap in the market. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 13 July 2026

Authorities searched extensively for Delphine’s remains, deploying drones, cadaver dogs, divers and search teams, but her body was never found. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

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

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