anatomy

noun

anat·​o·​my ə-ˈna-tə-mē How to pronounce anatomy (audio)
plural anatomies
Synonyms of anatomynext
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)
: skeleton
(2)
: mummy
b
: the human body
wore an outfit that showed off various parts of her anatomy

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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 Gosling, totally breaking, goes on to describe the anatomy of the aliens. —Anne McCarthy, Variety, 14 Apr. 2024 This kind of clot is usually caused by a change in the local anatomy. —Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024 The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to create its own solar eclipses so that researchers can study one of the more difficult-to-observe parts of the Sun’s anatomy: its blazing-hot corona. —Wes Davis, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024 In the end, the film was still able to show a considerable amount of the terrifying scene, as a side angle of the female anatomy led to a compromise with the MPA’s ratings board. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024 The pinniped’s anatomy demonstrates that 21 million years after whales started sliding into the seas, pinnipeds began to do the same. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024 While PFDs are pretty common, in some cases, due to the female anatomy, they typically can’t be avoided. —Kristina Behr, Parents, 13 Mar. 2024 Below is the anatomy of a scandal — actually several scandals. —Susan Merriam, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024 Instead of being designed for a man’s foot and sized down for women, like so many on the market, the sneaker was specifically designed for the anatomy of a female foot, with a wider forefoot and narrower heel. —Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anatomy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Phrases Containing anatomy

Dictionary Entries Near anatomy

anatomize

anatomy

anatonosis

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Anatomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anatomy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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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
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce anatomy (audio)
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

Nglish: Translation of anatomy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of anatomy for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anatomy

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