# cadaver

/kəˈdævɝ/ (US) · /kɐdˈævɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cadaver
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a dead body, especially one used for medical study or research. It is a formal and slightly scary word for a corpse.

For teachers: a dead body, particularly one used for anatomical study or medical research. Often carries a clinical or macabre connotation in literary contexts.

## Examples

- The medical students studied the cadaver in the lab.
- During the anatomy course, students spent several weeks examining a human cadaver to understand the structure of the muscles and bones.
- The museum's collection includes a preserved cadaver that was once used to teach surgical techniques before the advent of modern imaging technology.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.