cadaver

noun

ca·​dav·​er kə-ˈda-vər How to pronounce cadaver (audio)
: a dead body
especially : one intended for dissection
cadaveric
kə-ˈdav-rik How to pronounce cadaver (audio)
-ˈda-və-
adjective

Examples of cadaver in a Sentence

medical students who train by using cadavers
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Instead, the evidence suggested that the bodies were dried and preserved, buried in a desiccated state, rather than as fresh cadavers. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025 Fast, simple, and effective Tests with mannequins and cadavers showed the SRIS could work both safely and fast. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025 One of the cadaver dogs got a hit on the bathroom. Kc Baker, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Peebles added that cadaver dogs deployed to the scene did not find any hits, and that 90% of the homes in the area were red-tagged, meaning that residents are prohibited from entering them due to damage. James Powel, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cadaver

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from cadere to fall

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cadaver was circa 1500

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cadaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cadaver. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

cadaver

noun
ca·​dav·​er kə-ˈdav-ər How to pronounce cadaver (audio)
: a dead body especially of a person : corpse

Medical Definition

cadaver

noun
ca·​dav·​er kə-ˈdav-ər How to pronounce cadaver (audio)
plural cadavers also cadavera -ə-rə How to pronounce cadaver (audio)
: a dead body
specifically : one intended for use in medical education or research
cadaveric adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cadaver

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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