chest

American  

[chest] / tʃɛst /

noun

1. Anatomy. the trunk of the body from the neck to the abdomen; thorax.

2. a box, usually with a lid, for storage, safekeeping of valuables, etc..

   a toy chest; a jewelry chest.

3. the place where the funds of a public institution or charitable organization are kept; treasury; coffer.

4. the funds themselves.

5. a box in which certain goods, as tea, are packed for transit.

6. the quantity contained in such a box.

   a chest of spices.

7. chest of drawers.

8. a small cabinet, especially one hung on a wall, for storage, as of toiletries and medicines.

   a medicine chest.

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idioms

1. get (something) off one's chest, to relieve oneself of (problems, troubling thoughts, etc.) by revealing them to someone.

2. play it close to the chest. vest.

chest British  

/ tʃɛst /

noun

1. 1. the front part of the trunk from the neck to the belly

   2. ( as modifier )

      a chest cold

2. informal to unburden oneself of troubles, worries, etc, by talking about them

3. a box, usually large and sturdy, used for storage or shipping

   a tea chest

4. Also: chestful.  the quantity a chest holds

5. rare

   1. the place in which a public or charitable institution deposits its funds

   2. the funds so deposited

6. a sealed container or reservoir for a gas

   a wind chest

   a steam chest

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chest More Idioms  

1. see off one's chest; play one's cards close to one's chest.

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Other Word Forms

• chested adjective
• chestful noun

Etymology

Origin of chest

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English cest, cist, from Latin cista, from Greek kístē “box”

Example Sentences

Newby, who was being treated for a chest infection at the time, said he approached Farooq outside the maternity ward after spotting him fidgeting and looking anxious.

From BBC

Thanks to the astronomical demand for its chips, Nvidia generates more profit than almost any other public company and has used its fast-growing war chest to become the AI industry’s most powerful financier.

From The Wall Street Journal

A $100-billion war chest to automate manufacturing already is exacerbating fears that AI is coming for everyone’s jobs.

From Los Angeles Times

The chip giant has invested tens of billions from its fast-growing war chest to become the industry’s most powerful kingmaker.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her condition has become more manageable, but the 27-year-old said it’s still scary when her chest tightens and she starts to wheeze.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breast
• heart
• rib cage