thorax

noun tho·rax \ ˈthȯr-ˌaks \

|Updated on: 5 Jul 2018

Definition of thorax

plural thoraxes or thoraces play \ˈthȯr-ə-ˌsēz\

1 : the part of the mammalian body between the neck and the abdomen; also : its cavity in which the heart and lungs lie

2 : the middle of the three chief divisions of the body of an insect; also : the corresponding part of a crustacean or an arachnid

See thorax defined for English-language learners

See thorax defined for kids

Recent Examples of thorax from the Web

In another, a patient’s chest drain, a tube used to remove air, fluid or pus from the thorax, was dislodged.

— The Economist, "Hospitals are learning from industry how to cut medical errors," 28 June 2018
This structure, which covers their abdomen and thorax, safeguards their bodies from predators.

— National Geographic, "Meet the Bug That Armors Itself With Shells," 23 June 2018
Close clipped sections of Antron from his floor covering and used it to dub the thorax of the fly.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: 13 famous Wisconsin fly patterns take center stage," 21 Apr. 2018
The power of the impact is what may have propelled a giant stone block, which could be a doorjamb, onto the victim, crushing his thorax and pinning him beneath the ash for the next 2,000 years.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Skeleton of Man Crushed by Stone Block Uncovered in Pompeii," 31 May 2018
The victim, who was over 30, had his thorax crushed.

— Fox News, "Pompeii: New find shows man crushed trying to flee eruption," 29 May 2018
Imagine a spider, but with four powerful appendages sprouting from the thorax.

— naomi fry, The New Yorker, "Captain’s Log," 18 Sep. 2017
There are always extended bouts of glamorous preening: The dance luminary, body arched like a bullfighter or a bow stretched for archery, keeps one or both arms raised to show his or her thorax to best advantage.

— alastair macaulay, New York Times, "At Flamenco Festival, Finding the Force Beneath the Glitz," 12 Mar. 2018
The long bodies and stout thoraxes of dachshunds, for example, had to be taken into account.

— colleen barry, USA TODAY, "Milan line offers canine couture for pampered pooches," 16 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thorax.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of thorax

Middle English, from Latin thorac-, thorax breastplate, thorax, from Greek thōrak-, thōrax

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

THORAX Defined for English Language Learners

thorax

noun

Definition of thorax for English Language Learners

: the part of an animal's body between the neck and the waist
: the middle section of an insect's body

THORAX Defined for Kids

thorax

noun tho·rax \ ˈthȯr-ˌaks \

Definition of thorax for Students

plural thoraxes or thoraces \ˈthȯr-ə-ˌsēz\

1 : the part of the body of a mammal that lies between the neck and the abdomen and contains the heart and lungs

2 : the middle of the three main divisions of the body of an insect

Medical Dictionary

thorax

noun tho·rax \ ˈthō(ə)r-ˌaks, ˈthȯ(ə)r- \

medical Definition of thorax

plural thoraxes or thoraces play \ˈthōr-ə-ˌsēz, ˈthȯr-\

1 : the part of the mammalian body that is situated between the neck and the abdomen and supported by the ribs, costal cartilages, and sternum; also : thoracic cavity

2 : the middle of the three chief divisions of the body of an insect; also : the corresponding part of a crustacean or an arachnid