constipation
Americannoun
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constipations
plural
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a condition of the bowels in which the feces are dry and hardened and evacuation is difficult and infrequent.
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Informal. a state of slowing down, sluggishness, or inactivity.
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Obsolete. the act of crowding anything into a smaller compass; condensation.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of constipation
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English constipacioun, from Middle French, from Late Latin constīpātiōn-, stem of constīpātiō; equivalent to constipate + -ion
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Example Sentences
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Gut motility increased almost immediately after a 20 minute walk, offering a possible biological explanation for why movement can help relieve constipation.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 5, 2026
Non-motor symptoms include depression, anxiety, apathy, hallucinations, constipation, orthostatic hypotension, sleep disorders, loss of sense of smell, and cognitive impairments.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
What appears to be appendicitis turns out to be severe constipation, a public announcement I’m sure his schoolmates will handle with grace and maturity.
From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2026
In animal studies, the molecule also appeared to avoid several problems associated with the drug, including nausea, constipation and substantial muscle loss.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 24, 2026
Herman E. Calloway said, “Sounds like a case of diarrhea of the mouth and constipation of the brain.”
From "Bud, Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis
I had no idea about things like the severe constipations, the bleeding gums or that my lasered moustache would come back You’re the first comedian to make a special while pregnant.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 9, 2016
I had no idea about things like the severe constipations, the bleeding gums or that my lasered moustache would come back.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 9, 2016
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