laxation

American

[lak-sey-shuhn] / lækˈseɪ ʃən /

noun

a loosening or relaxing.
the state of being loosened or relaxed.
a bowel movement.

laxation British

/ lækˈseɪʃən /

noun

the act of making lax or the state of being lax
physiol defecation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of laxation

1350–1400; Middle English laxacion < Latin laxātiōn- (stem of laxātiō ) a loosening, equivalent to laxāt ( us ) (past participle of laxāre to loosen, derivative of laxus; see lax) + -iōn- -ion

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.

Kiwifruit is a good source of fiber, like many fruits, but research supports that kiwifruit fibers have a high water holding capacity, aiding in laxation in the colon.

From US News • Apr. 27, 2016

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023