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

Retatrutide is viewed as a key pillar of Lilly's long-term obesity strategy after its popular injection Zepbound and upcoming obesity pill. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026

Beyond cancer, Pfizer is aggressively pursuing the obesity market. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026

The results also showed increases in obesity among younger ages over the past several decades, representing earlier onset of obesity. —Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026

Cook notes that people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity may be more affected by high-protein diets that rely heavily on animal foods. —Caitlin Beale, Health, 29 Jan. 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