anatomy
noun
anat·o·my
ə-ˈna-tə-mē 
plural anatomies
1
: a branch of morphology that deals with the structure of organisms
2
: a treatise on anatomical science or art
3
: the art of separating the parts of an organism in order to ascertain their position, relations, structure, and function : dissection
4
obsolete
: a body dissected or to be dissected
5
: structural makeup especially of an organism or any of its parts
the anatomy of birds
human anatomy
6
: a separating or dividing into parts for detailed examination : analysis
the anatomy of a marriage
Examples of anatomy in a Sentence
We had to take a class on anatomy.
learning about the anatomies of different types of birds
learning about the anatomy of an earthquake
Recent Examples on the Web
State-of-the-art resources include the SynDaver Synthetic Cadaver Lab, an Anatomage Table anatomy visualization system enabling virtual human dissection and an Advanced Laerdal Haptic IV Trainer for intravenous techniques practice.
—
Shawn Price, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Researchers are still recovering a variety of pterosaur specimens from the Solnhofen Limestone, allowing scientists to study pterosaur growth, variation and anatomy in much greater detail, Smyth said.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
As if your anatomy did not limit your grip strength.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Prior to the actual surgery, detailed imaging was completed, which included MRI, fluoroscopy and endoscopy so doctors knew what each twin's anatomy looked like.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anatomy
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Shawn Price, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Researchers are still recovering a variety of pterosaur specimens from the Solnhofen Limestone, allowing scientists to study pterosaur growth, variation and anatomy in much greater detail, Smyth said.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
As if your anatomy did not limit your grip strength.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Prior to the actual surgery, detailed imaging was completed, which included MRI, fluoroscopy and endoscopy so doctors knew what each twin's anatomy looked like.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anatomy
Cite this Entry
“Anatomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anatomy. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
anatomy
noun
anat·o·my
ə-ˈnat-ə-mē
plural anatomies
1
: a branch of knowledge that deals with the structure of organisms
also
: a book on bodily structure
2
: structural makeup especially of an organism or any of its parts
anatomic
adjective
ˌan-ə-ˈtäm-ik
or anatomical
-ˈtäm-i-kəl
Medical Definition
anatomy
noun
anat·o·my
ə-ˈnat-ə-mē
plural anatomies
1
: a branch of morphology that deals with the structure of organisms compare physiology sense 1
2
: a treatise on anatomic science or art
3
: the art of separating the parts of an organism in order to ascertain their position, relations, structure, and function : dissection
4
: structural makeup especially of an organism or any of its parts
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