abdomen

[ ab-duh-muh n, ab-doh- ]
/ ˈæb də mən, æbˈdoʊ- /

noun

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.
Entomology. the posterior section of the body of an arthropod, behind the thorax or the cephalothorax.

Origin of abdomen

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

OTHER WORDS FROM abdomen

post·ab·do·men, noun

Example sentences from the Web for abdomen

British Dictionary definitions for abdomen

abdomen
/ (ˈæbdəmən, æbˈdəʊ-) /

noun

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
the front or surface of this region; belly Related adjective: coeliac
(in arthropods) the posterior part of the body behind the thorax, consisting of up to ten similar segments

Derived forms of abdomen

abdominal (æbˈdɒmɪnəl), adjective abdominally, adverb

Word Origin for abdomen

C16: from Latin; origin obscure

Medical definitions for abdomen

abdomen
[ ăbdə-mən, ăb-dōmən ]

n.

The part of the body that lies between the chest and the pelvis and encloses the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, and pancreas. belly venter

Scientific definitions for abdomen

abdomen
[ ăbdə-mən ]

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.
In arthropods, the last, most posterior segment of the body.

Other words from abdomen

abdominal adjective (ăb-dŏmə-nəl)

Cultural definitions for abdomen

abdomen
[ (ab-duh-muhn, ab-doh-muhn) ]

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