Chest Meaning
/t͡ʃɛst/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA box, now usually a large strong box with a secure convex lid.
nounA coffin.
Sentence Examples
I'd like you to have a chest X-ray.
Would you like me to massage your chest?
The bullet entered her back and exited through her chest.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The pirate buried a heavy wooden ____ filled with gold coins.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He felt a sharp pain in his ____ and decided to see a doctor today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English cheste, chiste, from Old English ċest, ċist (“chest, casket; coffin; rush basket; box”), from Proto-West Germanic *kistu (“chest, box”), from Latin cista (“chest, box”), from Ancient Greek κίστη (kístē, “chest, box, basket, hamper”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"But then I had the [massive] flintlock by me for protection. ¶[…]The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window at the old mare feeding in the meadow below by the brook, and a 'bead' could be drawn upon Molly, the dairymaid, kissing the fogger behind the hedge,[…]."
— 1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC:
"Pedersen fed Kalinic in West Brom's defensive third and his chested lay-off was met on the burst by the Canadian who pelted by Tamas and smashed the ball into the top of Myhill's net."
— 2011 January 23, Alistair Magowan, “Blackburn 2 - 0 West Brom”, in BBC:
"Children being loud and annoying in public is a small price to pay for living and participating in society. Everyone goes through this cycle and you too were once that child. We can’t just lock them indoors. Chest it, sorry."
— 2025 August 2, @ulxma, X:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The pirate buried a heavy wooden ____ filled with gold coins.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He felt a sharp pain in his ____ and decided to see a doctor today.