noun Common

anatomy

uh-NA-tuh-mee

Anatomy (noun) means the scientific study of the structure of living things, especially their bodies. Example: “Medical students spend a full year studying human anatomy.”

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

Word forms

anatomies plural

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Medical students spend a full year studying human _____.

Etymology

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

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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structure morphology makeup framework composition build

Related words

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Rhymes for anatomy

roomy gloomy sodomy economy taxonomy autonomy lobotomy dichotomy astronomy colostomy vasectomy phlebotomy

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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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Words with Greek origins

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