What does somatotype mean?
A somatotype is a classification of body type based on assumed physical and physiological characteristics. The term is most closely associated with the early twentieth-century anthropological system developed by W. H. Sheldon, which divided people into three constitutional types: endomorphs, characterized as relatively rounded or high in body fat; mesomorphs, characterized as muscular and athletic; and ectomorphs, characterized as relatively slender. The system was influential in physical education, psychology, and bodybuilding, but its claims about personality and temperament tied to body type were not supported by later research. Today, “somatotype” is encountered chiefly in historical writing and specialized discussions of physique, where it may also be used more informally to mean body type. Although the terminology remains recognizable, it is not a precise modern scientific classification and should not be treated as a medical or psychological assessment.
nounA classification of a person's body type according to assumed physical and physiological characteristics, especially in the historical system distinguishing endomorphs, mesomorphs, and ectomorphs. The term is chiefly used in anthropology, physical education, and bodybuilding.
- A person's classification according to body type or physical constitution.
- A category within the historical anthropological system of endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy, intended to describe physique and temperament.
"The study assigned each participant a somatotype based on observations of body build and physique."
"The trainer recorded each athlete's somatotype and used it as one factor in planning a training programme."
"In the early twentieth-century anthropological system, an individual's somatotype was described as endomorphic, mesomorphic, or ectomorphic."
The plural is used when referring to multiple body-type classifications or the members of several categories within the historical system.
"The article compares the three somatotypes proposed in early twentieth-century physical anthropology."
The word “somatotype” comes from Greek roots meaning “body” and “type,” but its familiar three-part body classification is now largely of historical interest.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does somatotype come from?
The word combines Greek sōma, meaning “body,” with the suffix -type, meaning “form” or “model.” It was formed in the early twentieth century in connection with the constitutional theory of body build associated with W. H. Sheldon. The related English word somatic comes from the same Greek root and means “relating to the body,” while somatology refers to the study of the body.
How somatotype is actually used
The term is specialized and now has a strongly historical association with W. H. Sheldon's constitutional body-type system. In modern fitness and bodybuilding contexts, it is often used more loosely as a label for a muscular, lean, or average physique. It should not be confused with a precise medical diagnosis or a person's identity.