bodily

1 of 2

adjective

bodi·​ly ˈbä-də-lē How to pronounce bodily (audio)
1
: having a body : physical
2
: of or relating to the body
bodily comfort
bodily organs

bodily

2 of 2

adverb

1
a
: in the flesh
b
: in a manner that involves physically moving someone's body
The blast lifted him bodily into the air.
Jerry Wexler called him a "parasite" and threw him bodily out of his office.Jack Kroll
2
: as a whole : altogether

Examples of bodily in a Sentence

Adjective The victim suffered serious bodily injury. the old man suffered from a number of bodily ailments Adverb The blast lifted him bodily into the air. The house will have to be moved bodily to the new site.
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.
Adjective
He is charged with conspiracy, attacking civilians, murder in violation of the law or war, terrorism, hijacking or hazarding a vessel or aircraft and intentionally causing serious bodily injury. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2025 The Chicago Heights teen, 17, pleaded guilty Jan. 10 to strangulation and domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, both Level 6 felonies. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Adverb
Lopez listed the Israel-Hamas conflict, bodily autonomy, freedom of the press, disseminating misinformation, and health care as some of her top issues. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2025 The Women’s March turned into an annual event, embracing themes of gender equality, bodily autonomy and preservation of civil rights. Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for bodily 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Cite this Entry

“Bodily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bodily. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

bodily

1 of 2 adjective
bodi·​ly ˈbäd-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce bodily (audio)
: of or relating to the body : physical

bodily

2 of 2 adverb
1
: in the flesh : by the body
removed them bodily
2
: as a whole : entirely

Medical Definition

bodily

adjective
bodi·​ly ˈbäd-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce bodily (audio)
: of or relating to the body
bodily organs

More from Merriam-Webster on bodily

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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