noun
thorax
THAW-raks
Thorax (noun) means the part of the body between the neck and abdomen, containing the heart and lungs; also the cavity itself. Example: “X-rays of the thorax showed no sign of fluid around the lungs.”
noun
1
The part of the body between the neck and abdomen, containing the heart and lungs; also the cavity itself.
"X-rays of the thorax showed no sign of fluid around the lungs."
"A rib cage protects and supports the thorax."
2
The middle section of an insect's or arachnid's body, where the legs and wings attach.
"The beetle's wings were folded flat against its thorax."
How to use thorax
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe chest region — in humans, the area holding the heart and lungs; in insects, the middle body segment.
Common pairings
thorax cavity
insect thorax
chest and thorax
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Word forms
- Plural
- thoraces, thoraxes
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X-rays of the _____ showed no sign of fluid around the lungs.
Etymology
From Latin thorax, itself from Greek thōrax, meaning "breastplate" — the body part was named after the armor that covers it.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for thorax
See all rhymes for thorax →Frequently asked questions
What does “thorax” mean?
The word “thorax” means the part of the body between the neck and abdomen, containing the heart and lungs; also the cavity itself. In plain terms, the chest region — in humans, the area holding the heart and lungs; in insects, the middle body segment.
How do you pronounce “thorax”?
“Thorax” is pronounced THAW-raks (/ˈθɔɹæks/ in IPA).
How do you use “thorax” in a sentence?
Here is “thorax” used in a sentence: “X-rays of the thorax showed no sign of fluid around the lungs.”
What part of speech is “thorax”?
“Thorax” is a noun.
Where does the word “thorax” come from?
The word “thorax” comes from Latin. From Latin thorax, itself from Greek thōrax, meaning "breastplate" — the body part was named after the armor that covers it.
How many meanings does “thorax” have?
“Thorax” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the part of the body between the neck and abdomen, containing the heart and lungs; also the cavity itself.
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