obesity

noun

obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sə-tē 

: a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body

Obesity affects not just appearance, but disease processes as well.

—Malorye Allison

Synonyms of obesity

• fatness
• fat
• weight
• adiposity
• corpulence

Examples of obesity in a Sentence

obesity has been linked to a number of health risks, such as heart disease

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, only seniors with severe obesity will be able to access these drugs through Medicare solely because of their weight. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025

Medical conditions that may lead to denial include diabetes and obesity. —Amanda Seitz, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025

Exercise can also positively impact other risk factors such as obesity and high blood pressure. —Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 7 Nov. 2025

The success of these drugs, used to treat diabetes and obesity, has naturally caught the attention of Novo’s competitors. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French obesité, borrowed from Latin obēsitāt-, obēsitās, from obēsus "fat, stout" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at obese

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing obesity

• anti-obesity

Medical Definition

obesity

noun

obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sət-ē 

plural obesities

: a condition that is characterized by excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body and that in an adult is typically indicated by a body mass index of 30 or greater