plural bodies
1
a
: a person's or animal's whole physical self
the human body
a part of the body
Her body is very muscular.
A bird's body is covered in feathers.
—often used before another nounbody weight/fat
body parts
A person's normal body temperature [=(Brit) blood heat] is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius.
b
: a dead person or animal
The body [=corpse] was shipped home for burial.
c
: the main physical part of a person or animal
This species has a black body and a white head.
She held her arms tightly against her body.
2
: the part of a vehicle that does not include the engine, wheels, etc.
There was extensive damage to the truck's body.
The body of the bus is almost entirely rusted out.
3
: the main or most important part of something written
The (main) body of the text/letter is devoted to a description of the author's childhood home.
4
: an object that is separate from other objects
heavenly/celestial bodies, such as the moon, the planets, and the stars
Note: A foreign body is an object that is inside something (such as someone's body) where it should not be.
5
: a large area of water
—used in the phrase body of water
This lake is the largest body of water in the state.
6
: a group of people who are involved together in the same job, activity, etc.
a body of troops
the student body
the state's legislative body [=the group of people who make the state's laws]
7
: a group of things that are related or connected in some way
They've accumulated quite a body of evidence.
a writer with an impressive body of work
8
of wine
: a strong and appealing flavor
a wine with full body
9
of hair
: a thick and appealing quality
hair that lacks body
10
: the section of a piece of clothing that covers the main part of a person's body
the body of a wetsuit
11
old-fashioned
: a human being : person
—usually singular
What's a body to do?
It was just some poor body looking for work.
Cite this Entry
“Body.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/body. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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