abdomen
noun
ab·do·men
ˈab-də-mən 
-ˌdō-;
əb-ˈdō-mən,
ab-
plural abdomens
1
a
: the part of the body between the thorax (see thorax sense 1) and the pelvis with the exception of the back
lesions on the chest and abdomen
… they do away with the need for a waistband, which can cut into your abdomen when you're leaning forwards …—
Liz Dodd
Liz Doddcalled also belly
b
: the cavity of the abdomen that is lined by peritoneum, is bounded above by the diaphragm, anteriorly by a wall of muscle and tissue, and posteriorly by the spinal column, is continuous below with the pelvic cavity, and contains many of the visceral organs and especially those involved in digestion (such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and intestines) : abdominal cavity
Removal of the gallbladder—a pear-shaped sac in the right side of your abdomen—has little adverse effect on digestion.—The Mayo Clinic Health Letter
The Mayo Clinic Health Letter2
: the posterior section of the body behind the thorax (see thorax sense 2) in an arthropod
On a nearby table was a … dish of ants that looked familiar except that they had been feeding on peach nectar and the abdomen of each was a large, swollen, translucent sac.—The New Yorker
see insect illustration
The New YorkerSynonyms
Examples of abdomen in a Sentence
showed us a tiny tattoo on her abdomen, right next to her belly button
Recent Examples on the Web
During the procedure, the boys' abdomens were closed and rebuilt, using layers of mesh and plastic surgery techniques to stabilize each one, according to the hospital.
—Brian Brant, People.com, 12 Oct. 2024
For an abdomen ultrasound, your provider may recommend fasting (not eating) for up to 12 hours.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2024
Once separated, the boys' abdomens were closed and rebuilt, using layers of mesh and plastic surgery techniques to stabilize each one.
—Brian Brant, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Researchers from Stanford University managed to make the skin of mice see-through after rubbing a solution on mice’s heads, abdomens and hind legs.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for abdomen 
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Brian Brant, People.com, 12 Oct. 2024
For an abdomen ultrasound, your provider may recommend fasting (not eating) for up to 12 hours.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2024
Once separated, the boys' abdomens were closed and rebuilt, using layers of mesh and plastic surgery techniques to stabilize each one.
—Brian Brant, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Researchers from Stanford University managed to make the skin of mice see-through after rubbing a solution on mice’s heads, abdomens and hind legs.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for abdomen
Dictionary Entries Near abdomen
Cite this Entry
“Abdomen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abdomen. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
abdomen
noun
ab·do·men
ˈab-də-mən
ab-ˈdō-mən
1
a
: the part of the body between the chest and the hips
b
: the body cavity containing the chief digestive organs
called also abdominal cavity
2
: the hind portion of the body behind the thorax in an arthropod see insect illustration
Medical Definition
abdomen
noun
ab·do·men
ˈab-də-mən, -ˌdō-; əb-ˈdō-mən, ab-
plural abdomens also abdomina
ab-ˈdäm-ən-ə
1
b
: the cavity of the abdomen that is lined by the peritoneum, is bounded above by the diaphragm, anteriorly by a wall of muscle and tissue, and posteriorly by the spinal column, is continuous below with the pelvic cavity, and contains many of the visceral organs and especially those involved in digestion (such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and intestines) : abdominal cavity
2
: the posterior often elongated region of the body behind the thorax in arthropods
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