obesity

noun

obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sə-tē How to pronounce obesity (audio)
Synonyms of obesitynext
: a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body
Obesity affects not just appearance, but disease processes as well.—Malorye Allison

Synonyms of obesity

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Examples of obesity in a Sentence

obesity has been linked to a number of health risks, such as heart disease
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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.
The disease is often associated with severe obesity, defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 The Korean switch-on diet was created by Park Yong-Woo, an obesity medicine researcher and family physician in Korea. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 29 June 2026 The panel will review the evidence supporting the use of these peptides for specific indications, including ulcerative colitis, wound healing, obesity, and migraines. — Will Stone, NPR, 30 June 2026 Starting Wednesday, eligible beneficiaries can get obesity drugs through Medicare's new Bridge demonstration program for a monthly copay of just $50. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for obesity

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French obesité, borrowed from Latin obēsitāt-, obēsitās, from obēsus "fat, stout" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at obese

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of obesity was circa 1611

Phrases Containing obesity

Browse Nearby Words

obese
obesity
obesogenic
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Cite this Entry

“Obesity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obesity. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

obesity

noun
obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sət-ē How to pronounce obesity (audio)
plural obesities
: a condition that is characterized by excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body and that in an adult is typically indicated by a body mass index of 30 or greater

More from Merriam-Webster on obesity

Nglish: Translation of obesity for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about obesity

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