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

• 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

Ingesting UPFs has been associated with more than 30 health conditions, including Type-2 diabetes, heart diseases, mental health disorders and obesity. —Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025

The full list includes things like obesity, physical inactivity, and social isolation—but not sleep. —Arianna Huffington, Time, 1 Oct. 2025

Risk factors for developing breast cancer include smoking, heavy alcohol use, overweight and obesity. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025

Why Experts Worry About Schools Weighing Kids Supporters argue that BMI calculations in schools are important in a time when obesity among kids is on the rise, and recent reports show children's health is worsening. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 1 Oct. 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