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.
Under the Biden administration’s proposal, older and/or low-income Americans with a body mass index of 30 or higher would have qualified for coverage for the drugs. Joseph Choi, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025 Under the Biden administration’s proposal, only those who are considered obese — someone who has a body mass index of 30 or higher — would qualify for coverage. Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025 Participants must have a body mass index greater than 25. Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025 Changing to the keto diet led to a decrease in mean body weight of 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) and a decrease in mean body mass index (BMI) by 1.5 kg/m2. New Atlas, 4 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Body mass index.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/body%20mass%20index. Accessed 16 Apr. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!