obesity

noun

obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sə-tē How to pronounce obesity (audio)
Synonyms of obesitynext
: 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.
Most often, type 2 diabetes stems from factors like poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, age, and genetics. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2026 Then, my very next patient might be active and thriving with a BMI in the obesity range, with no evidence of heart disease or diabetes. Mara Gordon, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026 Risk factors at any age include obesity, lack of physical activity, a diet high in red or processed meat and low in fruits and vegetables, smoking, heavy alcohol use, having inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of colorectal cancer. Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026 However, the daily Wegovy doses selected for the trial — 7 milligrams and 14 milligrams — are relatively modest, and lower than the maximum 25 milligram allowable under the drug’s label as an obesity treatment. Ed Silverman, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Obesity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obesity. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.

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

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