carcass

noun

car·​cass ˈkär-kəs 

1

: a dead body : corpse

especially : the dressed body of a meat animal

Butchers trimmed the meat from the carcass.

2

: the living, material, or physical body

It was nearly noon when he finally hauled his carcass out of bed.

3

: the decaying or worthless remains of a structure

the carcass of an abandoned automobile

4

: the underlying structure or frame of something (as of a piece of furniture)

Synonyms

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

Examples of carcass in a Sentence

the rusting carcass of an old truck

the carcass of a squirrel that had been run over

Recent Examples on the Web

Most will refuel by feasting on the carcasses of animals that died over the winter. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

The thawing unearthed the carcass of a reindeer that had died from anthrax decades earlier, releasing dormant Bacillus anthracis spores back into the environment. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025

Early investigations traced the outbreak's origin to three kids, all under 5 years old, who developed symptoms after eating a bat carcass. —Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2025

Kennedy has a long history of drug abuse, infidelity, and the questionable disposal of animal carcasses. —Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English carcays, from Anglo-French carcas, carkeis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for carcass

• arcus

Kids Definition

carcass

noun

car·​cass ˈkär-kəs 

: a dead body

especially : the body of a meat animal prepared for market

Medical Definition

carcass

noun

car·​cass ˈkär-kəs 

: a dead body : corpse

especially : the dressed body of a meat animal