abdomen

[ ab-duh-muhn, ab-doh- ]

noun

1. Anatomy, Zoology.
   1. the part of the body of a mammal between the thorax and the pelvis; belly.
   2. the cavity of this part of the body containing the stomach, intestines, etc.
   3. (in nonmammalian vertebrates) a region of the body corresponding to, but not coincident with, this part or cavity.
2. Entomology. the posterior section of the body of an arthropod, behind the thorax or the cephalothorax.

abdomen

/ æbˈdɒmɪnəl; æbˈdəʊ-; ˈæbdəmən /

noun

1. the region of the body of a vertebrate that contains the viscera other than the heart and lungs. In mammals it is separated from the thorax by the diaphragm
2. the front or surface of this region; belly coeliac
3. (in arthropods) the posterior part of the body behind the thorax, consisting of up to ten similar segments

abdomen

/ ăb′də-mən /

1. In vertebrates, the portion of the body between the thorax and pelvis, containing the stomach, intestines, liver, and other organs. In mammals, the abdomen is separated from the thorax by the diaphragm.
2. In arthropods, the last, most posterior segment of the body.

abdomen

1. The part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis that encloses the organs of the abdominal cavity ; the belly.

Derived Forms

• abˈdominally, adverb
• abdominal, adjective

Other Words From

• post·abdo·men noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abdomen¹

1535–45; (< Middle French ) < Latin abdōmen belly

Word History and Origins

Origin of abdomen¹

C16: from Latin; origin obscure

Example Sentences

Instead of simply disagreeing, Caitlyn assaults Vi by striking her in the abdomen with the butt of her rifle.

From Salon

In 1943, on his 27th flight and fifth mission, Johnny was shot down and suffered wounds to his groin and abdomen.

From BBC

She suffered "lacerations" to her neck, chest and abdomen and her injuries are "life-threatening", the force said.

From BBC

On his 100th birthday, Colin meets his gassy death before being reborn as a baby that burst from the abdomen of his corpse.

From Los Angeles Times

A pathologist told the court that his cause of death was given as seven stab wounds to the chest and abdomen and he had further wounds to his arms and legs.

From BBC

Related Words

• belly
• gut
• midriff
• midsection
• tummy