bodywork

noun

body·​work ˈbä-dē-ˌwərk How to pronounce bodywork (audio)
1
: a vehicle body
2
: the act or process of making or repairing vehicle bodies
3
: therapeutic touching or manipulation of the body by using specialized techniques
bodyworker
ˈbä-dē-ˌwər-kər How to pronounce bodywork (audio)
noun

Examples of bodywork in a Sentence

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.
That weight saving comes partly courtesy of the carbon fiber bodywork. — New Atlas, 30 July 2026 Each bodywork element has been designed to result in even closer on-track competition as the new aerodynamics will allow cars to follow more closely in corners and throughout the field. — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 The variant of the DB4 GT wore bodywork envisioned by Ercole Spada, then a young designer who had joined the famed Milanese coachbuilder Zagato only eight months earlier. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 19 July 2026 Seen here without any bodywork, Ford’s WEC hypercar is built around an Oreca chassis. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bodywork

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bodywork was in 1837

Rhymes for bodywork

See All Rhymes for bodywork

Browse Nearby Words

bodywood
bodywork
body wrap
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bodywork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bodywork. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

bodywork

noun
body·​work -ˌwərk How to pronounce bodywork (audio)
: therapeutic touching or manipulation of the body by using specialized techniques
bodyworker
-ˌwər-kər How to pronounce bodywork (audio)
noun
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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All