intestine
Americannoun
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Usually intestines. the lower part of the alimentary canal, extending from the pylorus to the anus.
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Also called small intestine. the narrow, longer part of the intestines, comprising the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, that serves to digest and absorb nutrients.
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Also called large intestine. the broad, shorter part of the intestines, comprising the cecum, colon, and rectum, that absorbs water from and eliminates the residues of digestion.
adjective
noun
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The muscular tube that forms the part of the digestive tract extending from the stomach to the anus and consisting of the small and large intestines. In the intestine, nutrients and water from digested food are absorbed and waste products are solidified into feces.
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See also large intestine small intestine
Other Word Forms
- intestinal adjective
- intestinally adverb
Etymology
Origin of intestine
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin intestīnum, noun use of neuter of intestīnus “internal,” equivalent to intes- (variant of intus “inside”) + -tīnus adjective suffix; vespertine
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
However, scientists believe that conditions inside the intestine, including the gut microbiota and the chemical messenger serotonin, play an important role.
From Science Daily
The microbiome refers to the community of bacteria that naturally live in the intestines.
From Science Daily
Explaining how it works, Ghosh said small electrodes placed on the abdomen detected the activity of the muscle of the small intestine.
From BBC
When a working dog’s stomach tightens, as it does when he pulls, the corn becomes like tiny little knives that cut and tear at the insides of his intestines….
From Literature
Problems were seen in iron recycling within the spleen and in the normal functioning of the lungs, intestines and kidneys.
From Science Daily
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
