stomach

American  

[stuhm-uhk] / ˈstʌm ək /

noun

1. Anatomy, Zoology.

   1. a saclike enlargement of the alimentary canal, as in humans and certain animals, forming an organ for storing, diluting, and digesting food.

   2. such an organ or an analogous portion of the alimentary canal when divided into two or more sections or parts.

   3. any one of these sections.

2. Zoology. any analogous digestive cavity or tract in invertebrates.

3. the part of the body containing the stomach; belly or abdomen.

4. appetite for food.

5. desire, inclination, or liking.

   I have no stomach for this trip.

6. Obsolete.

   1. spirit; courage.

   2. pride; haughtiness.

   3. resentment; anger.

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verb (used with object)

1. to endure or tolerate (someone or something).

   I can't stomach your constant nagging.

   Synonyms:

   countenance, abide, stand, bear

2. Obsolete. to be offended at or resent.

stomach British  

/ ˈstʌmək /

noun

1. (in vertebrates) the enlarged muscular saclike part of the alimentary canal in which food is stored until it has been partially digested and rendered into chyme

2. the corresponding digestive organ in invertebrates

3. the abdominal region

4. desire, appetite, or inclination

   I have no stomach for arguments

5. an archaic word for temper

6. an obsolete word for pride

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verb

1. to tolerate; bear

   I can't stomach his bragging

2. to eat or digest

   he cannot stomach oysters

stomach Idioms  

1. see butterflies in one's stomach; can't stand (stomach) the sight of; eyes are bigger than one's stomach; no stomach for; sick to one's stomach; turn one's stomach.

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Etymology

Origin of stomach

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English stomak, from Latin stomachus “gullet, stomach,” from Greek stómachos originally, “opening”; akin to stoma

Explanation

The stomach is the organ of your body — kind of a big sac — that digests food. We also say people have a stomach for something unpleasant when they can handle it. Without a stomach, you'd be in trouble: that's where your food gets digested and turned into useful material your body can use for energy. If you ever got punched in the stomach or had a stomach ache, it can hurt a lot. Also, stomach can mean having a hunger, or at least tolerance, for something. If you can't stomach watching football, then you can't stand watching it. If you have a stomach for something, you can swallow it.

Example Sentences

Stomach gnawing and hands slightly shaky, I loaded up on ephemera for fancy paninis, held together with swipes of giardiniera mayo, and splurged on some pastel-hued botanical sodas for drinking straight from the can.

From Salon • Jan. 1, 2026

Stomach acid is a crucial component of food digestion.

From Science Daily • Oct. 26, 2023

Stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating — these are symptoms frequently reported by people with long Covid.

From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2023

Stomach cramps and diarrhoea can also strike during marathons because of how long-distance running can disrupt digestion.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2018

On the back of Stomach Contents, I drew two pups side by side.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

Related Words

• abdomen
• belly
• gut
• tummy