noun

anatomy

uh-NA-tuh-mee

noun

The scientific study of the structure of living things, especially their bodies.

"Medical students spend a full year studying human anatomy."

The physical structure of a person, animal, or plant.

"The vet explained the anatomy of a horse’s hoof."

"The book breaks down the anatomy of a hurricane, showing how each part forms."

How to Use Anatomy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe structure of a body (or, loosely, of anything with distinct parts) and the study of it.

Common pairings

human anatomy the anatomy of study anatomy

anatomies plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

Medical students spend a full year studying human _____.

From Greek anatome, "dissection," literally "cutting up" — from ana- ("up") plus temno ("to cut").

roomy gloomy sodomy economy autonomy lobotomy astronomy colostomy vasectomy mastectomy tracheotomy thoracotomy