abdomen

American  

[ab-duh-muhn, ab-doh-] / ˈæb də mən, æbˈdoʊ- /

noun

1. Anatomy, Zoology.

   1. the part of the body of a mammal between the thorax and the pelvis; belly.

   2. the cavity of this part of the body containing the stomach, intestines, etc.

   3. (in nonmammalian vertebrates) a region of the body corresponding to, but not coincident with, this part or cavity.

2. Entomology. the posterior section of the body of an arthropod, behind the thorax or the cephalothorax.

---

abdomen British  

/ æbˈdɒmɪnəl, æbˈdəʊ-, ˈæbdəmən /

noun

1. the region of the body of a vertebrate that contains the viscera other than the heart and lungs. In mammals it is separated from the thorax by the diaphragm

2. the front or surface of this region; belly

3. (in arthropods) the posterior part of the body behind the thorax, consisting of up to ten similar segments

---

abdomen Scientific  

/ ăb′də-mən /

1. In vertebrates, the portion of the body between the thorax and pelvis, containing the stomach, intestines, liver, and other organs. In mammals, the abdomen is separated from the thorax by the diaphragm.

2. In arthropods, the last, most posterior segment of the body.

---

abdomen Cultural  

1. The part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis that encloses the organs of the abdominal cavity; the belly.

---

Other Word Forms

• abdominal adjective
• abdominally adverb
• postabdomen noun

Etymology

Origin of abdomen

1535–45; (< Middle French ) < Latin abdōmen belly

Explanation

Your abdomen is the middle part of the front of your body, between your chest area and your pelvis. If the doctor asks if your abdomen hurts, the doctor wants to know if you have any pain in your belly area. The word abdomen is also the name used for the cavity, enclosed by the abdominal muscles, that contains the organs in the abdominal area. The abdomen's contents in humans include your stomach, liver, spleen, small intestine, and kidneys. The word abdomen is sometimes shortened to abs, especially in infomercials and health clubs when referring to the muscles of your abdomen and how you should want flat ones.

Example Sentences

Rachel, who does not want the BBC to use her surname, said an indentation in her abdomen had been picked up during a regular colonoscopy for another condition.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

At the clinic in Próspera, doctors administered a simple one-time injection into Scott’s abdomen, monitored him for a day to check for adverse effects, then discharged him.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

As nearby bees observe, the dancer moves forward while shaking its abdomen, then circles back and repeats the pattern within seconds.

From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026

Bolsonaro has suffered from recurring health issues since being stabbed in the abdomen during a campaign event in 2018.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

I press my hands to my abdomen and look away, fighting off tears.

From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth

Related Words

• belly
• gut
• midriff
• midsection
• tummy