noun
chest
CHEST/tʃest/
The upper torso enclosing the lungs and heart.
The man points to his chest between his neck and abdomen.
Etymology
The original “box” meaning was extended to the body by imagining the ribs as a box enclosing the heart. This image gave the word its anatomical sense.
In context
The sternum, also called the breastbone, is located in the middle of your chest
More examples
- Her chest rose and fell with each breath.
- The tailor measures his chest before selecting a jacket.
- This coat fits a forty-inch chest.
Forms
chest · chests
Similar words
- thorax
- The anatomical region rather than ordinary front-of-body reference.