intestinal

adjective

in·​tes·​ti·​nal in-ˈte-stə-nᵊl 

-ˈtes(t)-nəl,

-ˈte-sᵊn-əl,

 British often  ˌin-(ˌ)te-ˈstī-nᵊl

1

: affecting, occurring, or living in the intestine

2

: of, relating to, or being the intestine

intestinally adverb

Examples of intestinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The seeds can also help scrub the intestinal lining. —Gillian Mohney, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025

This highly contagious viral illness affects the cardiac and intestinal systems of dogs and wolves. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025

Over 3 gallons of the liquid, which is stored in a special intestinal sac, can be released at a time, according to NOAA. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025

In the gut lining, intestinal mast cells take cues from other nearby epithelial cells, shifting activity to make more leukotrienes and less histamine. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing intestinal

• intestinal fortitude

Rhymes for intestinal

• gastrointestinal

Kids Definition

intestinal

adjective

in·​tes·​ti·​nal in-ˈtes-tən-ᵊl 

1

: of or relating to the intestine

2

: affecting or occurring in the intestine

intestinally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

intestinal

adjective

in·​tes·​ti·​nal

in-ˈtes-tən-ᵊl, -ˈtes(t)-nəl, -ˈtes-ᵊn-əl, British often ˌin-(ˌ)tes-ˈtīn-ᵊl

1

a

: affecting or occurring in the intestine

intestinal digestion

intestinal catarrh

b

: living in the intestine

the intestinal flora

an intestinal worm

2

: of, relating to, or being the intestine

the intestinal canal

intestinally

-ē 

adverb