chest

CHEST/t͡ʃɛst/

Pluralchests

12 meanings of chest

1
nouncountable
The front of your body between your neck and your stomach.
Like a strong box that keeps your heart and lungs safe inside.
The doctor listened to my chest with a stethoscope.
He felt a sharp pain in his chest after running.
UsageOften chest pain or get something off your chest.
Note
2
strong boxnouncountable
A large, strong box for storing or carrying things.
They found an old wooden chest in the attic.
She kept her blankets in a cedar chest.
Similartrunk, coffer, box
Note
3
set of drawersnouncountable
A piece of furniture with drawers for keeping clothes.
She folded the sweaters into the bottom drawer of the chest.
A tall chest stood against the bedroom wall.
UsageOften chest of drawers.
Similardresser, bureau
4
breastsnouneuphemisticcountable
A woman's breasts.
She felt self-conscious about the size of her chest.
The bikini top barely covered her chest.
UsagePeople often use it when talking about clothes, as in tight across the chest.
Similarbust, bosom

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–7, 9–11

It comes from Old English words meaning a box or casket, which came from Latin and originally from an Ancient Greek word for a box or basket.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

Chest derives from Old English forms meaning box or casket. en.wiktionary.org
The Old English forms ultimately derive from Latin. en.wiktionary.org
The Latin source derives from Ancient Greek. en.wiktionary.org
The Ancient Greek source meant a box. en.wiktionary.org

Meaning 8

It comes from an Old English word meaning strife or quarrel.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

The word comes from an Old English word meaning strife or quarrel. en.wiktionary.org