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

Godley was given the all-clear in 2022 but later that year announced another scan had shown signs of the disease in her abdomen.

From BBC

His abdomen has third-degree burns.

From BBC

The teenager was discovered with stab wounds and lacerations to her neck, abdomen, chest and back near the A63 in Hessle at about 06:50 GMT on Friday.

From BBC

Related Words

• belly
• gut
• midriff
• midsection
• tummy