digestion

[ dih-jes-chuhn, dahy- ]

noun

1. the process in the alimentary canal by which food is broken up physically, as by the action of the teeth, and chemically, as by the action of enzymes, and converted into a substance suitable for absorption and assimilation into the body.
2. the function or power of digesting food:

   My digestion is bad.

3. the act of digesting or the state of being digested.

digestion

/ dɪˈdʒɛstʃən; daɪ- /

noun

1. the act or process in living organisms of breaking down ingested food material into easily absorbed and assimilated substances by the action of enzymes and other agents peptic
2. mental assimilation, esp of ideas
3. bacteriol the decomposition of sewage by the action of bacteria
4. chem the treatment of material with heat, solvents, chemicals, etc, to cause softening or decomposition

digestion

/ dī-jĕs′chən /

1. The process by which food is broken down into simple chemical compounds that can be absorbed and used as nutrients or eliminated by the body. In most animals, nutrients are obtained from food by the action of digestive enzymes. In humans and other higher vertebrates, digestion takes place mainly in the small intestine. In protists and some invertebrates, digestion occurs by phagocytosis.
2. The decomposition of organic material, such as sewage, by bacteria.

digestion

1. The breaking down of food, which is made up of complex organic molecules (see also organic molecule ), into smaller molecules that the body can absorb and use for maintenance and growth.

Derived Forms

• diˈgestional, adjective

Other Words From

• di·gestion·al adjective
• nondi·gestion noun
• redi·gestion noun
• self-di·gestion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of digestion¹

1350–1400; Middle English digestioun < Anglo-French, Middle French < Latin dīgestiōn- (stem of dīgestiō ), equivalent to dīgest ( us ) ( digest ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of digestion¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin digestiō a dissolving, digestion

Example Sentences

This will warm you from the inside out and start your body’s natural digestion engine to keep you warmer throughout the night.

From Popular-Science

This greatly helps to maintain a healthy gut, improve digestion and reduce bloating.

From Essence.com

While research on our gut microbiomes is an emerging field, having healthy gut microbes may improve immune-system function, help regulate weight, and aid overall digestion.

From Outside Online

They can be cost-effective and are useful for those who want to increase their protein intake without getting too specific when it comes to digestion rate.

From Popular-Science

It turns out that the simple mixing of the two enzymes doubles the speed of their plastic digestion.

From Fortune

In the fall of 2010, it bought an anaerobic digestion project then under construction in London, Ontario.

From The Daily Beast

This may cause a negative autoimmune response, and inhibits proper digestion and nutrient absorption.

From The Daily Beast

Digestion is a technical term which relates the mechanical, enzymatic, and chemical degradation of food.

From The Daily Beast

The simple act of extra chewing will help create additional saliva which can aid in digestion.

From The Daily Beast

They can even help your digestion and the regularity of your bowel movements.

From The Daily Beast

The extent to which digestion has taken place can be roughly judged from the appearance of the food-particles.

From Project Gutenberg

Although usually present early in digestion, it disappears when free hydrochloric acid begins to appear.

From Project Gutenberg

Excess of any of these structures may result from excessive ingestion or deficient intestinal digestion.

From Project Gutenberg

But the Oriental we can't assimilate, for all our ostrich-like digestion, and what we can't assimilate we won't have.

From Project Gutenberg

When his infirmities began with rheumatism and bad digestion, she nursed him as if she had been his daughter.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• absorption
• metabolism