ENGLISH
REFERENCE

corpus

n.
US //ˈkɔɹpəs// UK //kˈɔːpəs// cor·pus
  1. 1 body of work (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Formal

    the complete collection of writings or works by a specific person or on a specific subject.

    the entire body of writings or creative works by a particular author or concerning a specific topic.

    Example

    The professor spent years studying the entire corpus of Shakespeare's plays.

    Example

    Scholars continue to debate the authenticity of several minor poems within the author's surviving corpus.
  2. 2 anatomical structure (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Medicine

    the main part of an organ or a specific structure in the body of a human or animal.

    the main body or principal part of an anatomical structure or organ.

    Example

    The doctor explained that the corpus of the stomach is its largest part.

    Example

    The surgical procedure required precise navigation around the corpus callosum to avoid damaging the neural pathways connecting the hemispheres.
  3. 3 Corpus Christi (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Informal

    a short name for the city of Corpus Christi in Texas.

    a colloquial toponymic reference to the city of Corpus Christi, Texas.

    Example

    We are planning to drive down to Corpus for the weekend to visit the beach.

    Example

    Local residents often refer to the city simply as Corpus when discussing regional travel or weather patterns.

Origin

Borrowed from Latin corpus (“body”). Doublet of corpse, corps, and riff.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026