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

For the one-third of Americans who aren’t getting the recommended seven or more hours a night, that means higher rates of anxiety, depression, heart disease, and obesity, and other conditions. —Katherine Laidlaw, HubSpot, 14 Nov. 2025

Practice Strength Training Research has found that resistance training before a meal significantly reduces post-meal blood sugar levels in people with obesity and prediabetes. —Cynthia Sass, Health, 14 Nov. 2025

Pelvic floor dysfunction can be caused by a variety of factors, including pregnancy and childbirth, aging, obesity, connective tissue disorders, nerve damage, stress, anxiety, or physical trauma to the pelvic floor. —Sara Braun, Sacbee.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Consuming mac and cheese frequently without balancing other parts of your diet may increase your risk of certain health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 13 Nov. 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