# chest

/ˈtʃɛst/ (US) · /tʃˈɛst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chest
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. body part

noun · CEFR A2

the front part of your body between your neck and your stomach.

For teachers: the part of the human body enclosed by the ribs and sternum, extending from the neck to the abdomen.

- He felt a sharp pain in his chest while he was running up the stairs.
- The physician used a stethoscope to monitor the patient's breathing, listening carefully to different areas across the upper chest.

### 2. storage box

noun · CEFR B1

a large, strong box with a lid, often used for keeping things safe or for shipping goods.

For teachers: a large, heavy container with a lid, typically made of wood or metal, used for storage or transport.

- The old wooden chest in the attic was filled with dusty books and clothes.
- The museum displayed a sixteenth-century sea chest, reinforced with iron bands to protect the valuables of sailors during long voyages.

### 3. breasts

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a polite or indirect way to talk about a woman's breasts.

For teachers: a euphemistic reference to the female breasts, often used in medical or formal contexts to avoid more blunt terminology.

- The doctor asked her if she had noticed any changes in her chest area.
- In certain formal or clinical descriptions, the term chest is preferred over more anatomical or colloquial words when referring to female patients.

### 4. to hit with the torso

verb · CEFR B2

to hit or control a ball using the front of your body.

For teachers: to intercept, control, or propel a ball using the upper torso.

- The player managed to chest the ball down before taking a shot at the goal.
- The striker expertly chested the high pass into his own path, maintaining momentum despite the pressure from the opposing defenders.

Usage: The verb is transitive and takes the ball as its object.

## Examples

- He felt a sharp pain in his chest while running.
- The doctor placed the stethoscope against the patient's chest to listen to her heartbeat.
- The athlete's chest expanded deeply as he struggled to catch his breath after the final sprint of the race.

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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.