Charting
BW medical abbreviation
BW has 2 common meanings: "birth weight", "body weight". The context of the note or order decides which one is meant.
Each meaning matched at least two public references (4 in all for BW), checked October 23, 2026. The table lists them.
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2 meanings of BW
| Meaning | Latin origin | Where used | Checked against |
|---|---|---|---|
| birth weight | None | Charting | |
| body weight | None | Charting |
Example
Sample nursery record field: "BW."
A made-up line that shows the abbreviation in place. It is not about any patient and is not an instruction.
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Questions
What does BW mean in medical terms?
BW has 2 common meanings: "birth weight", "body weight". The context of the note or order decides which one is meant.
Where is BW used?
BW shows up in charting. Its category here is charting.
Is BW on the Joint Commission Do Not Use list?
No. BW is not on the Joint Commission Do Not Use list or the ISMP error-prone list as checked on October 23, 2026.