peristalsis

noun

peri·​stal·​sis ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-səs 

-ˈstäl-,

-ˈstal- 

plural peristalses ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-ˌsēz 

-ˈstäl-,

-ˈstal-

: successive waves of involuntary contraction passing along the walls of a hollow muscular structure (such as the esophagus or intestine) and forcing the contents onward

Examples of peristalsis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pressure of my lower esophageal sphincter was fine; the wavelike motion of swallowing, called peristalsis, was normal. —Moises Velasquez-Manoff, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023

These contractions are called peristalsis. —Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 4 July 2014

These help trigger peristalsis, the undulating muscle contractions that help squeeze food through the gut. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 8 Feb. 2023

In their back-and-forth manner, all technologies have been improving, even if the peristalsis of history is hard to follow. —Peter Rubin, Longreads, 14 Dec. 2022

And thankfully, the pythonlike digestive process of peristalsis, which moves food and drink along in wavelike contractions from first swallow to final farewell, was likewise unimpeded by a zero-gravity environment. —Christian Millman, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2015

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek peristaltikos peristaltic

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

peristalsis

noun

peri·​stal·​sis ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-səs  -ˈstäl- 

-ˈstal-

plural peristalses -ˌsēz 

: the contracting and expanding movements by which food and waste products of digestion are forced through parts (as the esophagus and intestine) of the digestive system

peristaltic

-tik

adjective

Medical Definition

peristalsis

noun

peri·​stal·​sis ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-səs  -ˈstäl- 

-ˈstal-

plural peristalses -ˌsēz 

: successive waves of involuntary contraction passing along the walls of a hollow muscular structure (as the esophagus or intestine) and forcing the contents onward compare segmentation sense 2