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digestive system
noun
: the bodily system concerned with the ingestion, digestion, and absorption of food and the discharge of residual wastes and consisting of the digestive tract and accessory glands (such as the salivary glands and the pancreas) that secrete digestive enzymes
Examples of digestive system in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The work was challenging, in part, because acid from goat poop and from the digestive systems of hyenas chowing down on the bones had obliterated much of the fossil DNA.
—
Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2024
Surgeries are typically necessary when parts of the digestive system are diseased or damaged and need to be bypassed or removed.
—
Claire Sibonney, TIME, 4 June 2024
Moderna has more than 40 products in development including a vaccine for the digestive system bug, norovirus.
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Bruce Gil, Quartz, 31 May 2024
The human microbiome has already been known to play a significant role in health and can affect the immune system, digestive system and even mental health.
—
Devika Rao, theweek, 29 Feb. 2024
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'digestive system.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1790, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near digestive system
Cite this Entry
“Digestive system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digestive%20system. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
digestive system
noun
: the bodily system concerned with the intake, breakdown, and absorption of food and the discharge of wastes and that includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, anus, and glands (as the salivary glands)
Medical Definition
digestive system
noun
: the bodily system concerned with the ingestion, digestion, and absorption of food and the discharge of residual wastes and consisting of the digestive tract and accessory glands (such as the salivary glands and the pancreas) that secrete digestive enzymes
called also alimentary system
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