cadaver

noun

ca·​dav·​er kə-ˈda-vər 

: a dead body

especially : one intended for dissection

cadaveric

kə-ˈdav-rik 

-ˈda-və-

adjective

Synonyms

• bones
• carcass
• corpse
• corpus
• corse [archaic]
• relics
• remains
• stiff

Examples of cadaver in a Sentence

medical students who train by using cadavers

Recent Examples on the Web

For your Minnesota spring reading list, here are two novels that coincidentally involve foster children as well as an adventure with cadaver dogs. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2025

One day, Jennifer, who is working in a pathology lab, is asked to incinerate a fresh cadaver. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025

Still, an extensive search involving underwater drones, towable submersible sonar, divers and three K-9 cadaver teams did not turn up Borgwardt's body. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 11 Dec. 2024

Search and recovery operations are underway in the Eaton and Palisades fire zones using cadaver dogs and grid searches, Luna said. —Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from cadere to fall

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cadaver

noun

ca·​dav·​er kə-ˈdav-ər 

: a dead body especially of a person : corpse

Medical Definition

cadaver

noun

ca·​dav·​er kə-ˈdav-ər 

plural cadavers also cadavera -ə-rə 

: a dead body

specifically : one intended for use in medical education or research

cadaveric

-(ə-)rik 

adjective