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 That’s because fatty and spicy foods can be especially irritating to your stomach when your digestive system is already out of whack, possibly setting the stage for further, uh, upset. Christine Byrne, Mph, SELF, 4 Mar. 2024 The fact is that constipation can cause nausea based on the way your digestive system is structured. Colleen Stinchcombe, Health, 2 Mar. 2024 One potential cause could be related to your digestive system. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Bypassing the digestive system Much like the regurgitated food mother birds feed their babies in the nest, ultraprocessed food is quick and easy to digest, according to experts. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 1 Feb. 2024 Accusations against doctor lingered for years Adding more investigators might have helped the medical board take swifter action against Dr. Charles Kelly, of Kingman, who treats the digestive system. The Arizona Republic, 22 Jan. 2024 There may be uncomfortable side effects, and the most common involve the digestive system, including nausea, vomiting, etc. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 1 Feb. 2024 These foods affect the health of the gut microbiome — the ecosystem of bacteria in our digestive systems that aids in breaking down food and extracting nutrients. Katie Mogg, NBC News, 28 Jan. 2024 Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive system, specifically the small intestine. Rebecca Jaspan, Mph, Health, 24 Jan. 2024

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of digestive system was in 1790

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 19 Mar. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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