flatus

noun

fla·​tus ˈflā-təs How to pronounce flatus (audio)
: gas generated in the stomach or bowels

Examples of flatus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Rate of hydrogen sulfide production (flatulence index) and frequency and number of emissions were evaluated as potential indicators of flatus characteristics. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 6 Sep. 2013 The purpose of this study was to design artificial flatus from bacterial volatile compounds to stimulate research into neutralizing measures. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2017 Trump’s flatus into a law-enforcement crusade. Adam Weinstein, The New Republic, 2 June 2020 Getting a sample of gut gas can require analyzing flatus (farts), insertion of tubes, breath tests and whole-body calorimetry. Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2018 In one experiment, about half of people who ate chocolate bars containing 32 grams of a polyol called sorbitol suffered from diarrhea, flatus, stomach aches, and bloating. Patrick Wilson, Outside Online, 7 Aug. 2020 However, old fart could also mean that elderly individuals pass flatus more often. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2018 But the flatus which had passed through clothing caused no bacteria to sprout, which suggests that clothing acts as a filter. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 1 Sep. 2017 This problem may be more significant on commercial airplanes where many people are seated in limited space and where changes in volume of intestinal gases, due to altered cabin pressure, increase the amount of potential flatus. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2013

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flatus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, act of blowing, act of breaking wind

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flatus was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near flatus

Cite this Entry

“Flatus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flatus. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

flatus

noun
fla·​tus ˈflāt-əs How to pronounce flatus (audio)
: gas generated in the stomach or bowels

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