plural bodies
1
a
: the main part of a plant or animal body especially as distinguished from limbs and head : trunk
held her arms close to her body
a bird with a yellow body and head and black markings on its wings
b
: the main, central, or principal part: such as
(1)
architecture
: the nave of a church
(2)
: the bed or box of a vehicle on or in which the load is placed
(3)
: the enclosed or partly enclosed part of an automobile
the truck's body, hood, and fenders
2
a
: the organized physical substance of an animal or plant either living or dead
She has a muscular body.
body parts
normal body temperature
: such as
(1)
: the material part or nature of a human being
when the soul leaves the body
(2)
: a dead organism : corpse
The body was shipped home for burial.
b
: a human being : person
What's a body to do?
3
a
: a mass of matter distinct from other masses
a body of water
the movements of celestial bodies
b
: something that embodies or gives concrete reality to a thing
His intuitions of the future may still give body to a better world …—
New York Times
New York Times
also
: a sensible object in physical space
4
a
clothing
: the part of a garment covering the trunk or torso
the body of a wet suit
b
: the main part of a literary or journalistic work : text sense 2b
The body of the article is devoted to an analysis of the problem.
c
: the sound box or pipe of a musical instrument
5
: a group of persons or things: such as
a
: a fighting unit : force
a body of cavalry
b
: a group of individuals organized for some purpose
a legislative body
the university's student body
6
a
: fullness and richness of flavor (as of wine)
a wine with full body
b
: viscosity, consistency
—used especially of oils and grease
c
: denseness, fullness, or firmness of texture
Her hair lacks body and shine.
d
music
: fullness or resonance (see resonance sense 2) of a musical tone
Examples of body in a Sentence
a part of the body
Her body is very muscular.
A bird's body is covered in feathers.
This species has a black body and a white head.
She held her arms tightly against her body.
There was extensive damage to the truck's body.
The body of the bus is almost entirely rusted out.
Recent Examples on the Web
The woman’s daughter showed investigators video footage showing Robinson rifling through the woman’s drawers, selecting items and hiding them on her body.
—Kairi Lowery, Miami Herald, 5 June 2026
It’s also sold directly to consumers, via the company website or at Walmart, in four different kits tailored for first-time exams, menopause and different body types.
—Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 5 June 2026
Instead of using an open tote, keep your valuables close at hand with a secure bag that stays close to your body and zips shut.
—Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2026
Officials say a burial team was attacked in the province of South Kivu while trying to safely bury an Ebola victim, forcing workers to abandon the coffin and allowing community members to handle the body.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for body
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kairi Lowery, Miami Herald, 5 June 2026
It’s also sold directly to consumers, via the company website or at Walmart, in four different kits tailored for first-time exams, menopause and different body types.
—Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 5 June 2026
Instead of using an open tote, keep your valuables close at hand with a secure bag that stays close to your body and zips shut.
—Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2026
Officials say a burial team was attacked in the province of South Kivu while trying to safely bury an Ebola victim, forcing workers to abandon the coffin and allowing community members to handle the body.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for body
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Body.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/body. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
body
noun
plural bodies
1
a
: the organized physical substance of an animal or plant either living or dead: as
(1)
: the material part or nature of a human being
(2)
: a dead organism : corpse
b
: a human being
2
a
: the main part of a plant or animal body especially as distinguished from limbs and head : trunk
b
: the main part of an organ (as the uterus)
3
: a kind or form of matter : a material substance
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
