cadaver

noun

ca·​dav·​er kə-ˈda-vər How to pronounce cadaver (audio)
: a dead body
especially : one intended for dissection
cadaveric
kə-ˈdav-rik How to pronounce cadaver (audio)
-ˈda-və-
adjective

Examples of cadaver in a Sentence

medical students who train by using cadavers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Drone operators, cadaver dog handlers and volunteer search and rescue crews assisted in the search effort between February and June. Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025 The effort also includes a cadaver dog, the sheriff's office said Monday. Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 21 July 2025 Law enforcement has deployed cadaver dogs and a mountaineer team and covered hundreds of square miles across multiple states, as well as parts of Canada, Morrison said. Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 19 July 2025 Investigators brought in a cadaver dog from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office to help with the search, but no additional remains have been found. Katie Langford, Denver Post, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for cadaver

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from cadere to fall

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cadaver was circa 1500

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cadaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cadaver. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cadaver

noun
ca·​dav·​er kə-ˈdav-ər How to pronounce cadaver (audio)
: a dead body especially of a person : corpse

Medical Definition

cadaver

noun
ca·​dav·​er kə-ˈdav-ər How to pronounce cadaver (audio)
plural cadavers also cadavera -ə-rə How to pronounce cadaver (audio)
: a dead body
specifically : one intended for use in medical education or research
cadaveric adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cadaver

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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