abdomen

noun

ab·do·men | \ ˈab-də-mən

, -ˌdō-; əb-ˈdō-mən, ab-\

Definition of abdomen

1 : the part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis also : the cavity of this part of the trunk containing the chief viscera

2 : the posterior section of the body behind the thorax in an arthropod — see insect illustration

Other Words from abdomen Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about abdomen

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Other Words from abdomen

abdominal \ ab-ˈdä-mə-nᵊl

, əb- , -ˈdäm-nᵊl \ adjective

abdominally \ -ē

\ adverb

Examples of abdomen in a Sentence

showed us a tiny tattoo on her abdomen, right next to her belly button

Recent Examples on the Web

Officers found a man with a gunshot wound to his abdomen and leg, he was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center and is in stable condition, Howard said. — Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, "Man shot in suspected 3 a.m. road rage incident at Orlando gas station," 20 Aug. 2019 While not the most serious form of the disease — Type 1 has invariably been a death sentence — the disease has kept her from reaching many motor milestones, including sitting up by herself, lifting her head while lying on her abdomen, and crawling. — Jonathan Saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, "The world’s most expensive medicine could save toddlers’ lives. But getting it is complicated," 8 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abdomen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for abdomen

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin abdōmen "fat underpart of an animal, belly, paunch," of uncertain origin

Note: Often seen as a derivative of abdere, "to hide, conceal," i.e., "that which is hidden," based on a nominal ablaut form *dhoh₁- from the root *dheh₁- "put." However, Latin abdōmen refers primarily to a body part of animals, and more or less humorously of humans; such usage suggests something prominent rather than something concealed, so the derivation looks somewhat unlikely.

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More Definitions for abdomen

abdomen

noun

English Language Learners Definition of abdomen

: the part of the body below the chest that contains the stomach and other organs

: the rear part of an insect's body

See the full definition for abdomen in the English Language Learners Dictionary

abdomen

noun

ab·do·men | \ ˈab-də-mən

, ab-ˈdō-\

Kids Definition of abdomen

1 : the part of the body between the chest and the hips including the cavity containing the stomach and other digestive organs

2 : the hind part of the body of an arthropod (as an insect)

abdomen

noun

ab·do·men | \ ˈab-də-mən, -ˌdō-; əb-ˈdō-mən, ab-

Medical Definition of abdomen

1a : the part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis with the exception of the back

— called also belly

b : the cavity of this part of the trunk lined by the peritoneum, enclosed by the body walls, the diaphragm, and the pelvic floor, and containing the visceral organs (as the stomach, intestines, and liver)

c : the portion of this cavity between the diaphragm and the brim of the pelvis — compare pelvic cavity

2 : the posterior often elongated region of the body behind the thorax in arthropods

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abdomen

Definition of abdomen

Other Words from abdomen

Synonyms for abdomen

Examples of abdomen in a Sentence

First Known Use of abdomen

History and Etymology for abdomen

English Language Learners Definition of abdomen

Kids Definition of abdomen

Medical Definition of abdomen

abdomen

Definition of abdomen

Other Words from abdomen

Synonyms for abdomen

Examples of abdomen in a Sentence

First Known Use of abdomen

History and Etymology for abdomen

English Language Learners Definition of abdomen

Kids Definition of abdomen

Medical Definition of abdomen

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