chest

noun \ ˈchest \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

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

—

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

Jessica Capeles, new to the neighborhood, used a white towel to apply pressure to the wound while her relatives did chest compressions and repeatedly called 911.

— hannah leone, chicagotribune.com, "Neighbors rush to help man shot in front of his home in Humboldt Park," 5 July 2018
There are ads for breast augmentation with women holding up grapefruits in front of their chests.

— loren savini, Allure, "Breaking the Cycle: Meet the People Who Are Fighting to End Period Stigma," 27 June 2018
The medical examiner ruled Hernandez, 24, died from strangulation and chest compression.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Prosecutors to retry ex-deputy's husband in fatal confrontation outside Denny's," 26 June 2018
Several new mothers clutch babies to their chests; some female students coo at them.

— david grimm, Science | AAAS, "‘A cataclysmic wake-up call’: Can more candor win back support for animal research?," 26 June 2018
Paramedics rushed to Carey’s side and began performing chest compressions before putting him in an ambulance.

— Fox News, "Teen dies after Chicago paramedics allegedly mistakenly pronounce him dead, cover him with white sheet," 20 June 2018
DiGiacinto and Watson rushed back, and the former helped Barr perform CPR — DiGiacinto administered rescue breaths after Barr conducted chest compressions.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Brighley Watson, 2, meets Harford County rescuers who helped save her life," 20 June 2018
It can be performed by bystanders or medical personnel and normally consists of chest compressions at a rate of approximately 100 to 120 per minute.

— mark lieber, CNN, "Patient remains awake for 90 minutes of CPR, doctor says," 4 June 2018
While Armstrong watched their luggage, Turner began performing chest compressions with Gutierrez’s help.

— emily sorensen, Pomerado News, "Rancho Bernardo High staffers save stranger's life on vacation," 9 May 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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;

bandbox, hatbox, jewel box, snuffbox, tinderbox;

CHEST Defined for English Language Learners

chest

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