chest

play

noun \ ˈchest \

Definition of chest

1 a :a container for storage or shipping; especially :a box with a lid used especially for the safekeeping of belongings

b :a cupboard used especially for the storing of medicines or first-aid supplies

2 :the place where money of a public institution is kept :treasury; also :the fund so kept

3 a :thorax 1; especially :the part of the human body enclosed by the ribs and sternum

b :breast 2a

a hairy chest

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chestful

play \-ˌfu̇l\ noun

See chest defined for English-language learners

See chest defined for kids

Examples of chest in a Sentence

He has a broad chest.
The pain is in my upper chest.

Recent Examples of chest from the Web

The comic posted a picture of herself smiling in a kitchen, nearly naked save for nude-colored underwear and a dog in a hot dog costume covering her chest.

— yohana desta, HWD, "Amy Schumer Doesn’t Think She Deserves the Same Salary as Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock," 24 Aug. 2017
One of the huge humpbacks rolled over on its back and the 180-kilogram seal was swept up onto its chest between the whale’s massive flippers.

— elin kelsey, Smithsonian, "What Humpback Whales Can Teach Us About Compassion," 18 Aug. 2017
When Leaf shoved the obsidian dagger into the chest of one of the First Men nearly 12,000 years ago, the Night King was born.

— chanel vargas, Harper's BAZAAR, "Dragonglass Might Not Be Able to Kill the Night King, According to This Fan Theory," 9 Aug. 2017
The boy had been shot in the chest, according to a police media notification.

— katherine rosenberg-douglas, chicagotribune.com, "4 shot in Humboldt Park among 9 wounded in Chicago attacks," 1 Aug. 2017
In it, Willow is seen on the kitchen counter while Pink's youngest is strapped to the her chest, eyeing the veggies sizzling on the stove.

— samantha brodsky, Good Housekeeping, "Pink Accused of Endangering Her Kids After Posting This Photo," 19 July 2017
The younger man allegedly fired at least two shoots, which hit his father in the chest.

— ajc homepage, ajc, "Son jailed after allegedly shooting father on I-75 in vacation fight from FL to GA," 18 July 2017
Anyway, thanks, Vanity Fair, for letting me get this off my chest.

— Vanity Fair, "Senator Al Franken Answers the Proust Questionnaire," 18 July 2017
According to Elamin, she was questioned extensively about her research and the political situation in Sudan, patted down in her chest and groin areas, and briefly handcuffed and taken to a 24-hour holding area—

— kristal brent zook, Essence.com, "How Donald Trump's Travel Ban Attempts Have Deeply Wounded Black Families And Individuals," 18 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of chest

Middle English, from Old English cest, cist chest, box, from Latin cista, from Greek kistē basket, hamper

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

chest Synonyms

Synonyms

bin, box, caddy, case, casket, locker, trunk

Related Words

carton, crate; footlocker, locker, sea chest; coffer, lockbox, safe, safe-deposit box, strongbox; coffin; compartment, vault; canteen; caisson, hope chest; minaudière; bandbox, hatbox, jewel box, snuffbox, tinderbox

CHEST Defined for English Language Learners

chest

play

noun

Definition of chest for English Language Learners

: a container (such as a box or case) for holding things or moving them from place to place
: the front part of the body between the neck and the stomach

CHEST Defined for Kids

chest

play

noun \ ˈchest \

Definition of chest for Students

1 :a container (as a box or case) for storing, safekeeping, or shipping

tool chest

treasure chest

2 :the front part of the body enclosed by the ribs and breastbone

3 :a fund of public money

a community chest to benefit the needy

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chested

\ˈche-stəd\ adjective

Medical Dictionary

chest

play

noun \ ˈchest \

medical Definition of chest

1 :medicine chest

2 :the part of the body enclosed by the ribs and sternum

Learn More about chest

See words that rhyme with chest Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chest Spanish Central: Translation of chest Nglish: Translation of chest for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of chest for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chest

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CHEST Defined for English Language Learners

chest

Definition of chest for English Language Learners

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Medical Dictionary

chest

medical Definition of chest

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