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

But many people who start them end up quitting, either because obesity treatment is framed as a limited-duration intervention or because of the cost, loss of insurance or side effects. —Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026

Eli Lilly is tapping into its obesity windfall again to fortify its pipeline. —Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum,jeff Marks, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026

One of the best ways to prevent obesity is to adopt a healthy, balanced diet and to exercise regularly. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026

One of the most common misconceptions is that patients do not realize that obesity is a chronic disease and that GLP-1s, like other obesity management medications, are intended as long-term treatment. —Julia Landwehr, Health, 17 Apr. 2026

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