Torso - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT torso /ˈtɔrsoʊ/ /ˈtɔsəʊ/ IPA guide

Other forms: torsos; torsi

A torso is the trunk of a human body — minus arms, legs, and head. Anatomically, your torso's job is to protect your internal organs, like your heart, lungs, and kidney, which are all protected by your rib cage.

A statue of a torso in a museum, usually ancient Greek or Roman, is that of the trunk of a human body. These works of art, often carved from marble, are so old that they've frequently lost their arms and heads — but still, the sturdy torso remains. Originally torso only referred to the trunk of a statue, from the Greek root thyrsos, "stalk or stem of a plant." Then, around the 1860s, it began referring human trunks as well.

Definitions of torso

noun the body excluding the head and neck and limbs synonyms: body, trunk see moresee less type of: body part any part of an organism such as an organ or extremity

Pronunciation US /ˈtɔrsoʊ/ UK /ˈtɔsəʊ/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘torso'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

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