English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

cadaver

kuh-DAV-uh

Cadaver (noun) means a dead human body, especially one used for medical study or dissection. Example: “Medical students spent the semester studying a cadaver in the lab.”

noun
1
A dead human body, especially one used for medical study or dissection.
"Medical students spent the semester studying a cadaver in the lab."

How to Use Cadaver

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA formal, clinical word for a dead body, especially one used for study.

When to use it

Clinical and somewhat formal — "corpse" or "body" is more everyday.

Common pairings
cadaver lab dissect a cadaver

Word Forms

cadavers plural, cadavera plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “cadaver” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Medical students spent the semester studying a _____ in the lab.

Etymology

From Latin cadaver, "corpse," related to the verb cadere, "to fall."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for cadaver

See all rhymes for cadaver →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “cadaver” mean?

The word “cadaver” means a dead human body, especially one used for medical study or dissection. In plain terms, a formal, clinical word for a dead body, especially one used for study.

How do you pronounce “cadaver”?

“Cadaver” is pronounced kuh-DAV-uh (/kəˈdævɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “cadaver” in a sentence?

Here is “cadaver” used in a sentence: “Medical students spent the semester studying a cadaver in the lab.”

What part of speech is “cadaver”?

“Cadaver” is a noun.

Where does the word “cadaver” come from?

The word “cadaver” comes from Latin. From Latin cadaver, "corpse," related to the verb cadere, "to fall.".

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial