corpulence

noun

cor·​pu·​lence ˈkȯr-pyə-lən(t)s How to pronounce corpulence (audio)
: the state of being corpulent

Examples of corpulence in a Sentence

the doctor warned that the patient's corpulence was unhealthy and not merely unattractive
Recent Examples on the Web Whimsy was also the domain of the Colombian painter and sculptor Fernando Botero, whose signature was a race of voluptuously bloated figures — denizens, from priests to bullfighters, of an almost cartoonish world that, to him, had to do not with corpulence but with the sensuality of human life. William McDonald, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2023 His thick musculature having bloated into unhealthy corpulence, Maradona was hospitalized in Buenos Aires in April 2004 with what doctors described as a weakened heart and acute breathing problems. Jeré Longman, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2020 Twelve bears started in the celebration of corpulence on September 29 before the final online showdown Tuesday. CNN, 5 Oct. 2021 In order to support a pair of cubs and reach peak corpulence, Grazer didn’t shy away from battles for the best spots on Brooks River, even against much larger male bears, according to the Park’s video. Theresa MacHemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Sep. 2020 His striking physical resemblance to his grandfather, channeling his clothing, gait and corpulence, secured his place as the latest iteration of the country’s preordained leadership. Victoria Kim, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2020 Over his career, the uber-producer has explored aging, poverty, addiction, corpulence, single parenthood, neurodivergence and other experiences that can leave a person in the margins of American life. Robyn Bahr, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Sep. 2019 The Superintendent of Criminal Investigations, Hideo Nishimura, was tall and even-featured and had probably been handsome in his youth, but the years at the desk showed in his growing corpulence and a certain slowness in breaking inertia. Andrew Liptak, The Verge, 8 Dec. 2018 View 107 Photos Big, Bad, Bold Its corpulence doesn’t prevent it from being easy on the eyes. Josh Jacquot, Car and Driver, 24 Jan. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'corpulence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corpolence "corporeity," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French corpulence "body size," borrowed from Medieval Latin corpulentia "stoutness, corporeity, density," going back to Latin, "stoutness," from corpulentus "of heavy build, corpulent" + -ia -ia entry 1

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of corpulence was in 1547

Dictionary Entries Near corpulence

Cite this Entry

“Corpulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corpulence. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

corpulence

noun
cor·​pu·​lence ˈkȯr-pyə-lən(t)s How to pronounce corpulence (audio)
: the state of being corpulent : obesity

Medical Definition

corpulence

noun
cor·​pu·​lence ˈkȯr-pyə-lən(t)s How to pronounce corpulence (audio)
: the state of being excessively fat

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