the substance or true form of something; its real nature or essence
問題の本体は別のところにあると考えられる。
It is believed that the root/essence of the problem lies elsewhere.
表面的な違いに惑わされず、本体を見極めることが大切だ。
It's important to discern the true substance and not be misled by surface differences.
その説明は本体の性質を正しく表していない。
That explanation doesn't correctly represent the true nature of it.
the main part or body of a machine or device (as opposed to accessories or attachments)
カメラ本体だけで撮影できますが、レンズを付けると幅が広がります。
You can shoot with just the camera body, but attaching lenses expands what you can do.
このソフトは本体の更新が必要だ。
This software requires an update to the main package.
テレビの本体を壁に掛け、スピーカーは別に置いた。
I mounted the TV unit on the wall and placed the speakers separately.
the object of worship at a shrine, temple, etc.; the sacred object (goshintai) that is venerated
その神社の本体は古い鏡と言われている。
It is said that the shrine's object of worship is an ancient mirror.
参拝者は本体に手を合わせて祈った。
Worshippers put their hands together and prayed before the sacred object.
philosophical term referring to the noumenon — the thing-in-itself underlying phenomena
カントの議論では、本体（ヌーメノン）は人間の認識を超えるものとされる。
In Kant's argument, the noumenon is considered something beyond human cognition.
used as an abbreviation meaning the base price or pre-tax price of a product (price of the main unit excluding accessories)
値札に『本体価格 50,000円（税別）』と書いてある。
The price tag reads 'base price 50,000 yen (tax excluded)'.