enema

noun

en·​e·​ma ˈe-nə-mə 

plural enemas also enemata ˌe-nə-ˈmä-tə  ˈe-nə-mə-tə 

1

: the injection of liquid into the rectum and colon by way of the anus

2

: material for injection as an enema

Examples of enema in a Sentence

The nurse gave the patient an enema.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to First Databank, Vowst’s list price is $19,680 for 12 pills and Rebyota’s is $9,411 for one enema bag. —Eric Boodman, STAT, 23 Mar. 2026

The facility had been treating him with laxatives and later an enema, but his condition hadn’t significantly improved, his mother said. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2026

Disposable kits rarely cost more than $10 per enema. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026

Constipation treatment typically involves laxatives, stool softeners, water enemas, or bulking agents, like psyllium. —Erica Sweeney, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek, from enienai to inject, from en- + hienai to send — more at jet

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for enema

• adenoma

Kids Definition

enema

noun

en·​e·​ma ˈen-ə-mə 

: the injection of liquid into the rectum by way of the anus usually to cause the intestines to empty

also : the material injected

Medical Definition

enema

noun

en·​e·​ma ˈen-ə-mə 

plural enemas also enemata ˌen-ə-ˈmät-ə  ˈen-ə-mə-tə 

1

: the injection of liquid into the rectum and colon by way of the anus (as for cleansing or examination)

2

: the liquid injected by an enema