noun
Uncommon
abdomen
AB-duh-muhn
Abdomen (noun) means the part of the body between the chest and the pelvis, containing the stomach and other digestive organs. Example: “The doctor pressed gently on his abdomen to check for tenderness.”
noun
1
The part of the body between the chest and the pelvis, containing the stomach and other digestive organs.
"The doctor pressed gently on his abdomen to check for tenderness."
2
In insects and other arthropods, the rear section of the body behind the thorax.
"A wasp's stinger is located at the tip of its abdomen."
How to use abdomen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe medical term for the belly area of the body.
When to use it
A more formal/medical word than "belly" or "stomach", commonly used by doctors.
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Word forms
- Plural
- abdomens, abdomina
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The doctor pressed gently on his _____ to check for tenderness.
Etymology
From Latin abdōmen, possibly related to abdō ("to conceal"), from ab- ("away") and -dō ("put, place").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for abdomen
See all rhymes for abdomen →Frequently asked questions
What does “abdomen” mean?
The word “abdomen” means the part of the body between the chest and the pelvis, containing the stomach and other digestive organs. In plain terms, the medical term for the belly area of the body.
How do you pronounce “abdomen”?
“Abdomen” is pronounced AB-duh-muhn (/ˈæb.də.mən/ in IPA).
How do you use “abdomen” in a sentence?
Here is “abdomen” used in a sentence: “The doctor pressed gently on his abdomen to check for tenderness.”
What part of speech is “abdomen”?
“Abdomen” is a noun.
Where does the word “abdomen” come from?
The word “abdomen” comes from Latin. From Latin abdōmen, possibly related to abdō ("to conceal"), from ab- ("away") and -dō ("put, place").
Is “abdomen” a common word?
“Abdomen” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “abdomen” have?
“Abdomen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the part of the body between the chest and the pelvis, containing the stomach and other digestive organs.
What is the difference between the abdomen and the stomach?
The abdomen is the entire region of the body between the chest and the pelvis, while the stomach is just one organ located inside that region. People often say "stomach" loosely to mean the whole abdominal area, but technically the stomach is only the digestive organ that holds food after swallowing.
Is abdomen a formal or clinical word compared to belly?
Abdomen is the more formal and clinical term, commonly used in medical, anatomical, and scientific contexts. Belly and stomach are the everyday, informal words people use in casual conversation for the same general area.
Does abdomen mean the same thing in insects as in humans?
No. In humans, the abdomen is the section of the body containing the stomach and other digestive organs. In insects and other arthropods, the abdomen instead refers to the rear body segment located behind the thorax.
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