anatomy

noun

anat·​o·​my ə-ˈna-tə-mē How to pronounce anatomy (audio)
plural anatomies
Synonyms of anatomy
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 of anatomy

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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
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.
For inspiration, look to Celine’s inventive layering, Marni’s clash of prints and textures, or Polo Ralph Lauren’s preppy meets western aesthetic—all broken down in our anatomy of a look roundup. — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026 That's partly because some surgeons have more experience than others using kidneys with complex anatomy such as extra arteries, or those from older, sicker donors that still may be better than dialysis for the right patient. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 That initial movement sets the direction of the snail’s shell coiling and the development of its internal anatomy. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 All the colors depicted inside the whale were based on real-life anatomy. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anatomy

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

Rhymes for anatomy

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Browse Nearby Words

anatomize
anatomy
anatonosis
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Cite this Entry

“Anatomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anatomy. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anatomy

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