constipation

[ kon-stuh-pey-shuhn ]

noun

1. a condition of the bowels in which the feces are dry and hardened and evacuation is difficult and infrequent.
2. Informal. a state of slowing down, sluggishness, or inactivity.
3. Obsolete. the act of crowding anything into a smaller compass; condensation.

constipation

/ ˌkɒnstɪˈpeɪʃən /

noun

1. infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels, with hard faeces, caused by functional or organic disorders or improper diet

Word History and Origins

Origin of constipation¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English constipacioun, from Middle French, from Late Latin constīpātiōn-, stem of constīpātiō; equivalent to constipate + -ion

Example Sentences

People with this disorder experience frequent bouts of diarrhea or constipation.

From Science News For Students

Now is the winter of our discontent, having barely recovered from the autumn of our constipation.

From Washington Post

Doctors say this is why constipation is one of the drugs’ most common side effects.

From Science News

Chickweed can also be used as an anti-itch poultice for irritated skin or eaten to relieve constipation.

From Popular-Science

It gauges the risks of that crew member having anything from constipation to a heart attack.

From Science News For Students

In addition to the “high,” there is pain relief, but also nausea, constipation, and slowed breathing.

From The Daily Beast

After a few days of bad food and early nights, I began to get terrible constipation.

From The Daily Beast

Simple constipation and diseases of the large intestine alone do not increase the amount of indican.

From Project Gutenberg

Rounded scybalous masses are common in habitual constipation, and indicate atony of the muscular coat of the intestine.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, he suffered from constipation and feelings of depression.

From Project Gutenberg

It serves to give bulk to the food, and thereby possibly acts as a preventive to constipation.

From Project Gutenberg

Constipation is taken care of along the same lines as mentioned elsewhere in this book.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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