stomach

American  

[stuhm-uhk] / ˈstʌm ək /

noun

1. Anatomy, Zoology.

   1. a saclike enlargement of the alimentary canal, as in humans and certain animals, forming an organ for storing, diluting, and digesting food.

   2. such an organ or an analogous portion of the alimentary canal when divided into two or more sections or parts.

   3. any one of these sections.

2. Zoology. any analogous digestive cavity or tract in invertebrates.

3. the part of the body containing the stomach; belly or abdomen.

4. appetite for food.

5. desire, inclination, or liking.

   I have no stomach for this trip.

6. Obsolete.

   1. spirit; courage.

   2. pride; haughtiness.

   3. resentment; anger.

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verb (used with object)

stomachs, present (3rd person singular) stomached, past participle, past stomaching present participle

1. to endure or tolerate (someone or something).

   I can't stomach your constant nagging.

   Synonyms:

   countenance, abide, stand, bear

2. Obsolete. to be offended at or resent.

stomach British  

/ ˈstʌmək /

noun

1. (in vertebrates) the enlarged muscular saclike part of the alimentary canal in which food is stored until it has been partially digested and rendered into chyme

2. the corresponding digestive organ in invertebrates

3. the abdominal region

4. desire, appetite, or inclination

   I have no stomach for arguments

5. an archaic word for temper

6. an obsolete word for pride

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verb

1. to tolerate; bear

   I can't stomach his bragging

2. to eat or digest

   he cannot stomach oysters

stomach Idioms  

1. see butterflies in one's stomach; can't stand (stomach) the sight of; eyes are bigger than one's stomach; no stomach for; sick to one's stomach; turn one's stomach.

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Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has stomached
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have stomached
  perfect
• has been stomaching
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is stomaching
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are stomaching
  progressive
• have been stomaching
  perfect progressive
• stomachs
  singular 3rd person
• am stomaching
  progressive 1st person singular
• stomaching
  participle

Past

• had stomached
  perfect
• was stomaching
  progressive singular
• were stomaching
  progressive plural
• had been stomaching
  perfect progressive
• stomached
  simple
• stomached
  participle

Future

• will stomach
  simple
• will have stomached
  perfect
• will have been stomaching
  perfect progressive
• will be stomaching
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of stomach

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English stomak, from Latin stomachus “gullet, stomach,” from Greek stómachos originally, “opening”; akin to stoma

Explanation

The stomach is the organ of your body — kind of a big sac — that digests food. We also say people have a stomach for something unpleasant when they can handle it. Without a stomach, you'd be in trouble: that's where your food gets digested and turned into useful material your body can use for energy. If you ever got punched in the stomach or had a stomach ache, it can hurt a lot. Also, stomach can mean having a hunger, or at least tolerance, for something. If you can't stomach watching football, then you can't stand watching it. If you have a stomach for something, you can swallow it.

Example Sentences

Over time, small meals, soups, toast and tea can become a diet that fills the stomach without meeting nutritional needs.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026

Filipino women have a higher incidence of thyroid cancer, and stomach cancer has been more common among some Korean and Japanese people.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

For investors prepared to stomach that turbulence, here is how to place an order.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Anyone prefers to stomach a little less risk can just buy the ETF.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

I’ve got butterflies doing cartwheels inside my stomach at the thought of standing up in front of the whole class.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Related Words

• abdomen
• belly
• gut
• tummy