Word forms: plural thoraxes, plural thoraces (θɔːrəsiːz)
1. countable noun [usually singular]
Your thorax is the part of your body between your neck and your waist.
[medicine]
2. countable noun [usually singular]
An insect's thorax is the central part of its body to which the legs and wings are attached.
[technical]
thorax in British English
(ˈθɔːræks)
nounWord forms: pluralthoraxes or thoraces (ˈθɔːrəˌsiːz, θɔːˈreɪsiːz)
1.
the part of the human body enclosed by the ribs
2.
the corresponding part in other vertebrates
3.
the part of an insect's body between the head and abdomen, which bears the wings and legs
Word origin
C16: via Latin from Greek thōrax breastplate, chest
thorax in American English
(ˈθɔrˌæks)
nounWord forms: pluralˈthoˌraxes or ˈthoraˌces (ˈθɔrəˌsiz)
1.
in tetrapods, including humans,
a.
the part of the body cavity from the neck or head to the abdomen, containing the heart, lungs, etc.; chest: in mammals, the diaphragm separates it from the abdomen
b.
the area of the trunk covering this part
2.
in arthropods, the body segment between the head and abdomen to which the legs are attached
Word origin
ME < L < Gr thōrax, chest, breastplate
Examples of 'thorax' in a sentence
thorax
Unable to fit in the pot it had its thorax wrapped around the outside.
Philip Marsden THE MAIN CAGES (2002)
Technically," he replied tiredly, `he has a crushed thorax.
Lunnon-Wood, Mike LET NOT THE DEEP (2002)
The larva made the cooing noise, just once, then lowered its thorax.