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

Circadian disruption and lack of sleep have been linked to serious health problems that range from cancer to obesity to depression. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

In addition, some medications, like GLP-1 drugs for obesity, are peptides. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Peptide therapeutics are medicines made from short chains of amino acids, including some GLP-1 obesity and diabetes drugs that mimic a natural hormone to reduce appetite and regulate blood sugar. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 20 July 2026

South Africa has the highest adult obesity rate in Africa, with roughly 30% of adults classified as living with obesity. — semafor.com, 20 July 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