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

Ground-breaking obesity drugs have transformed weight-loss treatment, and scientists are now investigating whether their effects could extend much further, potentially helping to protect the brain. — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026

The Food and Drug Administration said the risk will be added to the labeling of all GLP-1 drugs, the blockbuster medications used to treat obesity, diabetes and several other medical conditions. — CBS News, 9 Nov. 2026

First approved for obesity in late 2023, Zepbound was later cleared for OSA in December 2024. — Jeff Marks,matthew J. Belvedere,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 9 Nov. 2026

Obstructive sleep apnea and Class II obesity were indicated as contributing conditions. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 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