enteric
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
Usage
What does enteric mean? Enteric is a medical term that means within, by way of, or related to the intestines. A much more common word for this is intestinal. A close synonym is enteral. Enteric-coated pills are those that have a coating that’s designed not to wear away until after the pill passes through the stomach and reaches the small intestine, where it will then release the medicine. The names of some medical conditions include the term enteric. Enteric fever is another name for typhoid fever (which involves intestinal inflammation and ulceration). The plural noun enterics refers to bacteria that live in the intestines, also called enterobacteria. The related word enteron is a technical name for the digestive tract or the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the intestines. Example: The enteric nervous system controls the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of enteric
From the Greek word enterikós, dating back to 1865–70. See enter-, -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the enteric nervous system, which governs gut motility through a dense network of neurons that neuroscientists sometimes call the “second brain,” is not built to sustain that kind of chronic, pharmacological override.
From Slate ● Mar. 22, 2026
Raymond noted that other climate solutions are emerging that target enteric fermentation; these include animal feed additives like seaweed, which can reduce cattle's methane production.
From Salon ● Sep. 17, 2024
"Our finding is incredible and opens up a whole new avenue of enteric neurodevelopmental biology research in the field," Moreno Campos said.
From Science Daily ● May 29, 2024
I will never let him use enteric aspirin again.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 11, 2023
We had lobar pneumonia, meningococcal meningitis, streptococcal infections, diphtheria, endocarditis, enteric fevers, various septicemias, syphilis, and, always, everywhere, tuberculosis.
From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
