1
: the human body apart from the head, neck, arms, and legs : the human trunk
2
: a sculptured representation of the trunk of a human body
3
: something (such as a piece of writing) that is mutilated or left unfinished

Examples of torso in a Sentence

exercises that strengthen the torso

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, stalk, from Latin thyrsus stalk, thyrsus

First Known Use

1722, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of torso was in 1722

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

: the human body except for the head, arms, and legs

Medical Definition

: the human trunk

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