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)

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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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

Example Sentences

Novo already sells an oral version of its blockbuster weight-loss drug, Wegovy, but it must be taken on an empty stomach with no more than four ounces of water.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

The acquirers can also more easily tuck in a smaller acquisition, avoiding the stomach aches that come with digesting a bigger organization.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

I felt better — my stomach, my skin — and, more surprisingly, I didn’t feel deprived.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

Symptoms can include a racing heartbeat; feeling faint, dizzy or light-headed; feeling very hot or very cold; sweating, trembling or shaking; feeling sick; chest and stomach pain; and struggling to breathe and shaking legs.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

He lifts the bottom of his shirt to wipe off the water that’s dripped down his chin, and I look away because it feels too intimate to see the bottom of his freckled stomach.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Related Words

• abdomen
• belly
• gut
• tummy