intestine

American  

[in-tes-tin] / ɪnˈtɛs tɪn /

noun

intestines plural

1. Usually intestines. the lower part of the alimentary canal, extending from the pylorus to the anus.

2. Also called small intestine.  the narrow, longer part of the intestines, comprising the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, that serves to digest and absorb nutrients.

3. Also called large intestine.  the broad, shorter part of the intestines, comprising the cecum, colon, and rectum, that absorbs water from and eliminates the residues of digestion.

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adjective

1. internal; domestic; civil.

   intestine strife.

intestine British  

/ ɪnˈtɛstɪn, ˌɪntɛsˈtaɪnəl, ɪnˈtɛstɪnəl /

noun

1. (usually plural) the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus See large intestine small intestine

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intestine Scientific  

/ ĭn-tĕs′tĭn /

1. The muscular tube that forms the part of the digestive tract extending from the stomach to the anus and consisting of the small and large intestines. In the intestine, nutrients and water from digested food are absorbed and waste products are solidified into feces.

2. See also large intestine small intestine

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• intestinal
  adjective
• intestinally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• intestines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of intestine

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin intestīnum, noun use of neuter of intestīnus “internal,” equivalent to intes- (variant of intus “inside”) + -tīnus adjective suffix; cf. vespertine

Explanation

When you eat food, it first passes into your stomach, and then into your intestine. Fun fact: your large intestine is about five feet long. Makes you wonder why they don't call it your "long intestine" instead. The human intestine is split into two sections: the small intestine and the large intestine. Your intestine's job is to continue breaking down the food you've eaten and absorb nutrients into your bloodstream. Intestine comes from the Latin word intestinum, "gut" or "bowels," which is the neuter form of the adjective intestinus, "inward" or "internal."

Example Sentences

Infant botulism happens when swallowed spores from the bacterium infect a baby’s large intestine and make a toxin in it.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2026

The research team collected samples from multiple areas of the fish intestine, from the ichthyocarbonates themselves, and from the surrounding water.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

However, researchers say dietary cysteine appears to have a stronger effect on the intestine because it reaches the gut directly before being distributed throughout the body.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

Now, researchers have developed a new stem cell-based model of the human intestine that could help scientists discover more effective therapies.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2026

After a long piece of his intestine was removed, Dad confounded everybody by going back to work in a month.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Related Words

• entrails