Definition

1. Noun:

   • The physical structure of a living being: The entire material structure of a human, animal, or plant.
   • The main or central part of something: The largest or most important part of an object, structure, or text, excluding appendages or peripheral elements.
   • A group of people or things considered as a unit: A collection of individuals or items organized or regarded together.
   • A distinct material object: A separate three-dimensional mass or entity with a definite form.
   • Fullness or thickness of a material: The substantial feel or consistency of a substance, especially fabric or hair.
   • The trunk of a human or animal: The part excluding the head, neck, and limbs.

2. Verb:

   • To give form or substance to something: To represent in material form; to embody.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Physical Structure):
  • He felt a pain in his body after the long run.
  • The human body is a complex system.
• Noun (Main Part):
  • The body of the essay contained the main arguments.
  • The body of the car was painted red.
• Noun (Group):
  • A body of evidence supports this theory.
  • The student body elected a new president.
• Noun (Material Object):
  • A foreign body was found in the engine.
  • The planets are celestial bodies.
• Noun (Fullness/Thickness):
  • This shampoo adds body to fine hair.
  • The wine has a good body and a rich flavor.
• Verb:
  • The artist sought to body forth the spirit of the age in his sculpture. (This usage is formal/archaic.)

Advanced Usage

• "In a body": As a group; all together.
  • The protesters marched in a body to the capital.
• "Keep body and soul together": To manage to stay alive, especially with very little money or food.
  • He took any job just to keep body and soul together.
• "Over my dead body": Used to express strong opposition; something will only happen if the speaker is dead.
  • "You'll sell this house over my dead body!" she shouted.

Variants and Related Words

• Bodily (adj/adv): Relating to the body; physically.
  • He suffered bodily harm. (adj)
  • The prisoner was carried bodily from the cell. (adv)
• Bodywork (n): The metal outer structure of a vehicle.
  • The car needs repairs to its bodywork.
• Embodiment (n): A tangible or visible form of an idea, quality, or feeling.
  • She was the embodiment of grace.

Synonyms

• Noun (Physical structure): Physique, frame, form, figure.
• Noun (Main part): Main part, core, bulk, trunk.
• Noun (Group): Group, collection, assembly, organization, committee.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Body forth (verb): To give concrete form to; to represent. (Archaic/Literary)
  • The statue bodies forth the ideal of beauty.

Related Idioms

• A body blow: A severe setback or disappointment.
  • The loss of funding was a body blow to the research project.
• In body if not in spirit: Physically present but not mentally or emotionally engaged.
  • He attended the meeting in body if not in spirit.

Noun

1. the external structure of a vehicle
   • the body of the car was badly rusted
2. a resonating chamber in a musical instrument (as the body of a violin)
3. the main mass of a thing
4. the central message of a communication
   • the body of the message was short
5. the property of holding together and retaining its shape
   • wool has more body than rayon
   • when the dough has enough consistency it is ready to bake
6. a collection of particulars considered as a system
   • a body of law
   • a body of doctrine
   • a body of precedents
7. the body excluding the head and neck and limbs
   • they moved their arms and legs and bodies
8. an individual 3-dimensional object that has mass and that is distinguishable from other objects
   • heavenly body
9. a natural object consisting of a dead animal or person
   • they found the body in the lake
10. a group of persons associated by some common tie or occupation and regarded as an entity
    • the whole body filed out of the auditorium
    • the student body
    • administrative body
11. the entire structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
    • he felt as if his whole body were on fire

Verb

1. invest with or as with a body; give body to