anatomy

noun

anat·​o·​my ə-ˈna-tə-mē How to pronounce anatomy (audio)
plural anatomies
1
: a branch of morphology that deals with the structure of organisms
2
: a treatise on anatomical science or art
3
: the art of separating the parts of an organism in order to ascertain their position, relations, structure, and function : dissection
4
obsolete : a body dissected or to be dissected
5
: structural makeup especially of an organism or any of its parts
the anatomy of birds
human anatomy
6
: a separating or dividing into parts for detailed examination : analysis
the anatomy of a marriage
7
a(1)
(2)
: mummy
b
: the human body
wore an outfit that showed off various parts of her anatomy

Examples of anatomy in a Sentence

We had to take a class on anatomy. learning about the anatomies of different types of birds learning about the anatomy of an earthquake
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In adults, snoring can be caused by allergies, dietary choices (including alcohol consumption), and the anatomy of one's mouth and sinuses. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024 Attendees at the Oddities and Curiosities Expo in Portland, Oregon, paid to watch a retired anatomy professor dissect the body of David Saunders, a 98-year-old Army veteran. Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 11 Dec. 2024 That’s the umbrella term for a variety of procedures that achieve weight loss by surgically altering the size and anatomy of the stomach to limit food intake or, in some cases, change the digestive process to improve fat metabolism. New Atlas, 8 Dec. 2024 According to the findings, the ancient Mesopotamians had a general understanding of their internal human anatomy. Discover Magazine, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anatomy 

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin anatomia dissection, from Greek anatomē, from anatemnein to dissect, from ana- + temnein to cut

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anatomy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near anatomy

Cite this Entry

“Anatomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anatomy. Accessed 28 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

anatomy

noun
anat·​o·​my ə-ˈnat-ə-mē How to pronounce anatomy (audio)
plural anatomies
1
: a branch of knowledge that deals with the structure of organisms
also : a book on bodily structure
2
: structural makeup especially of an organism or any of its parts
anatomic
ˌan-ə-ˈtäm-ik
adjective
or anatomical
-ˈtäm-i-kəl
anatomically adverb

Medical Definition

anatomy

noun
anat·​o·​my ə-ˈnat-ə-mē How to pronounce anatomy (audio)
plural anatomies
1
: a branch of morphology that deals with the structure of organisms compare physiology sense 1
2
: a treatise on anatomic science or art
3
: the art of separating the parts of an organism in order to ascertain their position, relations, structure, and function : dissection
4
: structural makeup especially of an organism or any of its parts

More from Merriam-Webster on anatomy

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