bowel movement

noun

plural bowel movements

: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus

He had a two-day history of right lower abdominal pain … without bowel movements.

—William W. Scott, Jr. et al.

also : fecal matter expelled at one passage : stool sense 3a

Cats get infected from contact with other cats' bowel movements or by predation.

—Donald Caslow

Examples of bowel movement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Soluble fiber: Forms a gel in water, which promotes well-hydrated and consolidated bowel movements. —Suzanne Finkel, Verywell Health, 25 Mar. 2024

There are specific devices—one specifically known as a Squatty Potty—designed to accommodate squatting during bowel movements. —Dua Aldasouqi, Health, 13 Mar. 2024

Neglect to feed your microbiome and the balance of microbes could tip into disarray, resulting in an imbalanced gut and corresponding bloating, stomach pain, and problems with bowel movements. —Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2024

In lots of cases, diarrhea—though wildly unpleasant—is limited to a loose bowel movement that resolves within a day or so. —Christine Byrne, Mph, SELF, 4 Mar. 2024

Anyone who discovers black poop after a bowel movement should seek immediate medical attention. —Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Mar. 2024

Fiber can relieve constipation and keep bowel movements regular, but likely won’t improve other common side effects such as diarrhea or nausea. —Kristen Fischer, Health, 15 Mar. 2024

The amniotic fluid smells foul, looks greenish or brownish, or contains lots of blood: These qualities could indicate fetal distress, or that the baby has passed meconium (the first bowel movement), explains Brichter, in which case your provider will want to check in on your baby. —Nicole Harris, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024

Within days of arriving to Kibera, my sister and I contracted chest infections and bloody, watery bowel movements that are symptomatic of dysentery. —Jeffrey Okoro, STAT, 24 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bowel movement

noun

: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus

also : fecal matter expelled at one passage : stool

Medical Definition

bowel movement

noun

: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus