abdomen
Americannoun
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Anatomy, Zoology.
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the part of the body of a mammal between the thorax and the pelvis; belly.
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the cavity of this part of the body containing the stomach, intestines, etc.
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(in nonmammalian vertebrates) a region of the body corresponding to, but not coincident with, this part or cavity.
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Entomology. the posterior section of the body of an arthropod, behind the thorax or the cephalothorax.
noun
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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
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the front or surface of this region; belly
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(in arthropods) the posterior part of the body behind the thorax, consisting of up to ten similar segments
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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.
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In arthropods, the last, most posterior segment of the body.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing abdomen
Gross, Anatomy!
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Counting by 7s
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Animals (Zoology) - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It builds up deep inside the abdomen and surrounds internal organs, and it has been strongly linked to serious conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
From Science Daily • May 7, 2026
"He had a lot of edema, his face was very swollen, there was edema on his limbs, and a globular abdomen, like a balloon."
From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026
McDaniel explains she’s feeling for energy before moving on to the abdomen, where she applies various levels of pressure.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026
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
Harry took a step to follow as well but then stopped, her hands coming to her abdomen at the same time as a funny look crossed her face.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
