noun
Common
anatomy
uh-NA-tuh-mee
Anatomy (noun) means the scientific study of the structure of living things, especially their bodies. Example: “She chose anatomy as her favourite subject at medical school.”
noun
1
The scientific study of the structure of living things, especially their bodies.
"She chose anatomy as her favourite subject at medical school."
"Artists often study anatomy so they can draw the human body correctly."
"Medical students spend a full year studying human anatomy."
2
The physical structure of a person, animal, or plant.
"The anatomy of a flower includes petals, a stem and roots."
"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 notesIn plain EnglishThe structure of a body (or, loosely, of anything with distinct parts) and the study of it.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
human anatomy
the anatomy of
study anatomy
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Word forms
- Plural
- anatomies
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She chose _____ as her favourite subject at medical school.
Etymology
From Greek anatome, "dissection," literally "cutting up" — from ana- ("up") plus temno ("to cut").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for anatomy
roomy
gloomy
sodomy
economy
taxonomy
antinomy
autotomy
autonomy
lobotomy
dichotomy
astronomy
colostomy
See all rhymes for anatomy →
Frequently asked questions
What does “anatomy” mean?
The word “anatomy” means the scientific study of the structure of living things, especially their bodies. In plain terms, the structure of a body (or, loosely, of anything with distinct parts) and the study of it.
How do you pronounce “anatomy”?
“Anatomy” is pronounced uh-NA-tuh-mee (/əˈnætəmi/ in IPA).
How do you use “anatomy” in a sentence?
Here is “anatomy” used in a sentence: “Medical students spend a full year studying human anatomy.”
What part of speech is “anatomy”?
“Anatomy” is a noun.
Where does the word “anatomy” come from?
The word “anatomy” comes from Greek. From Greek anatome, "dissection," literally "cutting up" — from ana- ("up") plus temno ("to cut").
Is “anatomy” a common word?
“Anatomy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “anatomy” have?
“Anatomy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the scientific study of the structure of living things, especially their bodies.
What is the difference between anatomy and physiology?
Anatomy is the study of the structure of living things, meaning what the parts are and how they are arranged. Physiology, by contrast, studies how those parts function and work together, so anatomy deals with structure and physiology with function.
What is the difference between anatomy and morphology?
Anatomy focuses on the internal structure of living things, often examined through dissection. Morphology deals more broadly with the outward form and shape of organisms, including how structures compare across different species.
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