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

In rare cases endometriosis has been identified on the diaphragm and even in the chest.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

This is one film trailer keeping the cards close to its chest, and for good reason: “The Drama” is required viewing.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Flea-borne typhus infection symptoms include fever, headache, chills, body aches and a rash on or around the chest, sides and back.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

That represents a “treasure chest of data” to power AI, and it stems from the productivity software the company owns, like Microsoft 365, Teams, Fabric, Dynamics and LinkedIn.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

I look away, try to regain control of my heart, which is suddenly jerking around inside my chest.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• breast
• heart
• rib cage