digestive system

American  

noun

1. the system by which ingested food is acted upon by physical and chemical means to provide the body with absorbable nutrients and to excrete waste products; in mammals the system includes the alimentary canal extending from the mouth to the anus, and the hormones and enzymes assisting in digestion.

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digestive system Scientific  

/ dī-jĕs′tĭv /

1. The alimentary canal together with the salivary glands, liver, pancreas, and other organs of digestion.

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digestive system Cultural  

1. The organs and glands in the body that are responsible for digestion. The digestive system begins with the mouth and extends through the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, ending with the rectum and anus. Other organs in this system include the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and appendix.

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Etymology

Origin of digestive system

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The results open the door to new treatments aimed at breaking down these damaging sugars in the digestive system.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

Enzymes in the digestive system break down insulin before it can work, and the intestine lacks a natural way to absorb it into the bloodstream.

From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026

CF is a genetic condition that can particularly affect someone's digestive system, as well as their lungs, because their body produces a thick, sticky mucus that coats the organs.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Tom Daley's side-eye, Celie Imrie's noisy digestive system, Paloma Faith's early murder, Kate Garraway's theatrics, Joe Marler's "big dog" theory and Jonathan Ross's rousing exit speech all contributed to a memorable series.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2025

It doesn’t agree with his digestive system very well, though.

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper