irritable bowel syndrome

noun

: a chronic functional disorder of the colon that is characterized especially by constipation or diarrhea, cramping abdominal pain, and the passage of mucus in the stool
—abbreviation IBS

Examples of irritable bowel syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This Align probiotic for women and men contains Bacillus coagulans lactospore, a good bacteria that has been shown to improve major depressive disorder and irritable bowel syndrome. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 Post-infection irritable bowel syndrome is a subtype of this common disorder that’s triggered by a gut infection. — Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026 Avoiding FODMAPs can help manage symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other digestive problems. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2026 For the same reason, people with sensitive digestive systems or conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome may want to be especially mindful of portion sizes. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for irritable bowel syndrome

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irritable bowel syndrome was in 1943

Rhymes for irritable bowel syndrome

See All Rhymes for irritable bowel syndrome

Browse Nearby Words

irritable
irritable bowel syndrome
irritableness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irritable bowel syndrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irritable%20bowel%20syndrome. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

irritable bowel syndrome

noun
: a chronic functional disorder of the colon that is of unknown etiology but is often associated with abnormal intestinal motility and increased sensitivity to visceral pain and that is characterized by diarrhea or constipation or diarrhea alternating with constipation, abdominal pain or discomfort, abdominal bloating, and passage of mucus in the stool
—abbreviation IBS

called also irritable colon, irritable colon syndrome, mucous colitis, spastic colon

More from Merriam-Webster on irritable bowel syndrome

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about irritable bowel syndrome

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All