inanimate

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adjective in·an·i·mate \ (ˌ)i-ˈna-nə-mət \

Definition of inanimate

1 :not animate:

a :not endowed with life or spirit

an inanimate object

b :lacking consciousness or power of motion

an inanimate body

2 :not animated or lively :dull

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inanimately

adverb

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inanimateness

noun

See inanimate defined for English-language learners

See inanimate defined for kids

Examples of inanimate in a Sentence

“pathetic fallacy” is the literary term for the ascription of human feelings or motives to inanimate natural elements

Recent Examples of inanimate from the Web

The latter is a person who prefer is attracted to inanimate objects, and, as Servier explains in his complaint, includes himself.

— joshua stewart, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Rep. Susan Davis, three other House Dems sued for displaying Pride flag," 19 July 2017
Radar and cameras installed for cars will be able to distinguish between living things and inanimate objects.

— katie jackson, Fox News, "Columbus under construction to become America's first 'smart city'," 10 July 2017
There is a seamless merging of the actors with their supposedly inanimate characters, such as Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Stanley Tucci as a harpsichord and Audra McDonald as a wardrobe.

— rob lowman, Orange County Register, "Disney’s delightful ‘Beauty and the Beast’ shines on DVD," 5 June 2017
In the attraction’s backstory, the Collector (also known as Taneleer Tivan) has acquired a number of living, dead and inanimate objects — among them the Guardians of the Galaxy — and is displaying them for tourists.

— todd martens, latimes.com, "A close look at animatronic Cosmo and Rocket inside Disneyland's Guardians of the Galaxy ride," 25 May 2017
In Ancient Egypt, inanimate objects—particularly images created for tombs or temples—were believed to contain latent magical powers.

— salima ikram, Smithsonian, "For Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs, Life Was a Banquet, But the Afterlife Was the Greatest Feast of All," 3 Feb. 2017
Other kinds of animals have been reported to mistakenly try to breed with the dead, or even with inanimate objects.

— erika engelhaupt, National Geographic, "5 Gross Animals That Won Our Hearts in 2016," 23 Dec. 2016
According to your book, physics describes the actions or tendencies of every living thing—and inanimate ones as well.

— john stanmeyer, National Geographic, "What's the Meaning of Life? Physics.," 30 May 2016
As in the first Toy Story, inanimate objects are often the most impressive.

— joyce slaton, WIRED, "Toys Will Be Toys," 22 Nov. 1999

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

Did You Know?

The couch you sit on while you watch TV is an inanimate object, as is your footrest, your bag of snacks, and your remote control. Spend too much time on that couch and you risk becoming a couch potato. (A potato is an inanimate object.)

Origin and Etymology of inanimate

Middle English, from Late Latin inanimatus, from Latin in- + animatus, past participle of animare to animate

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First Known Use: 15th century

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inanimate Synonyms

Synonyms

insensate, insensible, insentient, senseless, unfeeling

Antonyms

animate, feeling, sensate, sensible, sensitive, sentient

Related Words

exanimate, lifeless; comatose, unconscious

Near Antonyms

aware, cognizant, conscious; animated, lively, vibrant

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

INANIMATE Defined for English Language Learners

inanimate

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adjective

Definition of inanimate for English Language Learners

: not living : not capable of life

INANIMATE Defined for Kids

inanimate

play

adjective in·an·i·mate \ i-ˈna-nə-mət \

Definition of inanimate for Students

:not living

Stones are inanimate objects.

Medical Dictionary

inanimate

play

adjective in·an·i·mate \ (ˈ)in-ˈan-ə-mət \

medical Definition of inanimate

:not animate:

a :not endowed with life or spirit

b :lacking consciousness or power of motion

Learn More about inanimate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inanimate Spanish Central: Translation of inanimate Nglish: Translation of inanimate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inanimate for Arabic speakers

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Examples of inanimate in a Sentence

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Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of inanimate

inanimate Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Biology Terms

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Related Phrases

INANIMATE Defined for English Language Learners

inanimate

Definition of inanimate for English Language Learners

INANIMATE Defined for Kids

inanimate

Definition of inanimate for Students

Medical Dictionary

inanimate

medical Definition of inanimate

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