obesity

noun

obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sə-tē How to pronounce obesity (audio)
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Run clubs encourage regular physical activity and help combat childhood obesity. Cyril A. Reinicke, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025 Keeping on top of risk factors for chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity could help not just doctors but all health-conscious consumers identify when these conditions are beginning and potentially avoid them altogether. Alice Park, Time, 9 Oct. 2025 Americans get more than half their calories from ultraprocessed foods, which have been linked to a host of health problems, including obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Sophie Austin, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025 Researchers have observed the drugs’ impact on diseases besides diabetes and obesity in clinical trials and in people taking the medications in the real world — but questions remain about whether GLP-1s are safe and effective for these other uses. Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obesity

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of obesity was circa 1611

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Cite this Entry

“Obesity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obesity. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

obesity

noun
obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sət-ē How to pronounce obesity (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on obesity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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