Word
abdomen
Phoneticsab·domen
US/ˈæbdəmən/
UK/ˈæbdəmən/
Definitions
01the belly area
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. the part of your body between your chest and your hips that contains your stomach and other organs.
n. the region of the body between the thorax and the pelvis, containing the digestive and reproductive organs.
“The patient complained of a sharp pain in his lower abdomen after eating.”
“The surgeon made a small incision in the lower abdomen to access the appendix while minimizing damage to the surrounding muscle tissue.”
Usage
In medical contexts, it refers specifically to the cavity; in everyday English, 'stomach' is more common.
02in insects and spiders
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical
n. the back part of an insect's or spider's body.
n. the posterior section of the body in arthropods, located behind the thorax or cephalothorax.
“You can identify this spider by the bright red spot on its abdomen.”
“The wasp's abdomen is connected to the thorax by a narrow waist, allowing for significant flexibility when the insect uses its stinger.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Now the standards have changed where thin abdomen, larger breasts and butts are the ideal, but most types of muscle definition is unattractive.” “Previously chided for her lack of childbearing by husband Hikko (Len Leo Vincent), Frieda emerges with a swollen abdomen.” Etymology
First attested in 1541. Borrowed from Middle French abdomen, from Latin abdomen, possibly from abdō (“conceal”), from ab (“away”) + -dō (“put, place”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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