chest

noun

ˈchest 

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 sense 1

especially : the part of the human body enclosed by the ribs and sternum

b

: breast sense 2a

a hairy chest

chestful

ˈchest-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Synonyms of chest

• locker
• bin
• box
• trunk

Examples of chest in a Sentence

He has a broad chest.

The pain is in my upper chest.

Recent Examples on the Web

Gocaj did not die from the fall but as a result of burns and the inhalation of scalding steam, along with blunt-force injury to her chest, according to the city’s medical examiner. — David K. Li, NBC news, 17 July 2026

Pele rises high to take a deep cross on his chest, flicks the ball almost cartoonishly over the head of Bengt Gustavsson and then volleys beyond keeper Svensson from 12 yards. — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Messi, though, was overcome with the emotion of having assisted on two lethal goals that put a metaphorical sword right through King Harry’s chest. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Continue to alternate your legs, forcefully driving your knees up toward your chest. — Jenessa Connor, Health, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing chest

• blanket chest
• chest of drawers
• chest-thumping
• community chest
• get (something) off one's chest
• hold/keep/play (something) close to one's chest
• hope chest
• medicine chest
• play/hold/keep one's cards close to the/one's chest/vest
• sea chest
• slop chest
• steam chest
• treasure chest
• war chest

Rhymes for chest

• blessed
• blest
• breast
• crest
• dressed
• fest
• gest
• geste
• guessed
• jest
• lest
• messed

Kids Definition

chest

noun

ˈchest 

1

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

tool chest

linen chest

2

: a public fund

community chest

3

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

chested

ˈches-təd

adjective

chestful

ˈchest-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Medical Definition

chest

noun

ˈchest 

1

: medicine chest

2

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