CHEST

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does chest mean? 

• CHEST (noun)
  The noun CHEST has 4 senses:

1. the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

2. box with a lid; used for storage; usually large and sturdy

3. the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

4. furniture with drawers for keeping clothes

  Familiarity information: CHEST used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CHEST (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

chest; pectus; thorax

Hypernyms ("chest" is a kind of...):

body part (any part of an organism such as an organ or extremity)

Meronyms (parts of "chest"):

rib cage (the bony enclosing wall of the chest)

breastbone; sternum (the flat bone that articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs)

thoracic aorta (a branch of the descending aorta; divides into the iliac arteries)

thoracic vein; vena thoracica (veins that drain the thoracic walls)

gall bladder; gallbladder (a muscular sac attached to the liver that stores bile (secreted by the liver) until it is needed for digestion)

area of cardiac dullness (a triangular area of the front of the chest (determined by percussion); corresponds to the part of the heart not covered by the lungs)

musculus pectoralis; pecs; pectoral; pectoral muscle; pectoralis (either of two large muscles of the chest)

chest cavity; thoracic cavity (the cavity in the vertebrate body enclosed by the ribs between the diaphragm and the neck and containing the lungs and heart)

breast; chest (the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "chest"):

bust; female chest (the chest of a woman)

male chest (the chest of a man)

Holonyms ("chest" is a part of...):

craniate; vertebrate (animals having a bony or cartilaginous skeleton with a segmented spinal column and a large brain enclosed in a skull or cranium)

body; torso; trunk (the body excluding the head and neck and limbs)

Derivation:

chesty (marked by a large or well-developed chest)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Box with a lid; used for storage; usually large and sturdy

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("chest" is a kind of...):

box (a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid)

Meronyms (parts of "chest"):

lid (a movable top or cover (hinged or separate) for closing the opening at the top of a box, chest, jar, pan, etc.)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "chest"):

ammunition chest; caisson (a chest to hold ammunition)

treasure chest (a chest filled with valuables)

toy box; toy chest (chest for storage of toys)

tool cabinet; tool case; tool chest; toolbox (a box or chest or cabinet for holding hand tools)

tea chest (chest for storing or transporting tea)

sea chest (a sailor's storage chest for personal property)

pix; pix chest; pyx; pyx chest (a chest in which coins from the mint are held to await assay)

hope chest; wedding chest (chest for storage of clothing (trousseau) and household goods in anticipation of marriage)

coffer (a chest especially for storing valuables)

cedar chest (a chest made of cedar)

Instance hyponyms:

Pandora's box ((Greek mythology) a box that Zeus gave to Pandora with instructions that she not open it; she gave in to her curiosity and opened it; all the miseries and evils flew out to afflict mankind)

Ark; Ark of the Covenant ((Judaism) sacred chest where the ancient Hebrews kept the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

breast; chest

Context example:

he beat his breast in anger

Hypernyms ("chest" is a kind of...):

external body part (any body part visible externally)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "chest"):

bosom (a person's breast or chest)

Holonyms ("chest" is a part of...):

chest; pectus; thorax (the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Furniture with drawers for keeping clothes

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

bureau; chest; chest of drawers; dresser

Hypernyms ("chest" is a kind of...):

article of furniture; furniture; piece of furniture (furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy)

Meronyms (parts of "chest"):

shelf (a support that consists of a horizontal surface for holding objects)

drawer (a boxlike container in a piece of furniture; made so as to slide in and out)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "chest"):

chiffonier; commode (a tall elegant chest of drawers)

highboy; tallboy (a tall chest of drawers divided into two sections and supported on four legs)

lowboy (a low chest or table with drawers and supported on four legs)

 Context examples 

These can be accompanied by physical symptoms including chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness or abdominal distress.

(The Mechanism of Panic Attacks, NIH, US)

The old man led him back into the castle, and in a cellar showed him three chests full of gold.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

Having to do with the abdomen, which is the part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

(Abdominal, NCI Dictionary)

Your abdomen extends from below your chest to your groin.

(Abdominal Pain, NIH)

Most pimples form on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders.

(Acne, NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

The most common site of involvement is the anterior chest wall.

(Acquired Hyperostosis Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

Most aneurysms occur in the aorta, the main artery that runs from the heart through the chest and abdomen.

(Aneurysms, NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

A heart condition marked by paroxysms of chest pain due to reduced oxygen to the heart.

(Angina, NCI Thesaurus)

Angina is chest pain or discomfort you feel when there is not enough blood flow to your heart muscle.

(Angina, NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

When muscles in your chest fail, you cannot breathe.

(Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)