body mass index

noun

: a measure of body fat that is the ratio of the weight of the body in kilograms to the square of its height in meters

Examples of body mass index in a Sentence

A person with a body mass index of more than 30 is considered to be obese.
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.
Between 2010 and 2023, there was an 11% greater burden of disease due to high body mass index – measured by years of life lost due to disability or premature death – and a 6% increase due to high blood sugar. Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025 The categorizations of obesity and overweight can contribute to weight stigma, and they are often based on body mass index (BMI), which is not an accurate measure of health. Erica Sloan, SELF, 8 Oct. 2025 Patients who have a body mass index of 27 along with a related medical condition, or those who have a BMI of 30 to 40 (qualifying as obese), have responded best to GLP-1s, research has shown. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025 Many young patients and their parents tell Erin Parks, PhD, that their schools weigh them and calculate their body mass index (BMI). Anna Halkidis, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for body mass index

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of body mass index was in 1983

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Cite this Entry

“Body mass index.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/body%20mass%20index. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

body mass index

noun
: a measure of body fat that is the ratio of the weight of the body in kilograms to the square of its height in meters

Medical Definition

body mass index

noun
: a measure of body fat that is the ratio of the weight of the body in kilograms to the square of its height in meters
a body mass index in adults of 25 to 29.9 is considered an indication of overweight, and 30 or more an indication of obesity
abbreviation BMI

called also Quetelet index

More from Merriam-Webster on body mass index

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