digestive system

noun

: the bodily system concerned with the ingestion, digestion, and absorption of food and the discharge of residual wastes and consisting of the digestive tract and accessory glands (such as the salivary glands and the pancreas) that secrete digestive enzymes

Examples of digestive system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The work was challenging, in part, because acid from goat poop and from the digestive systems of hyenas chowing down on the bones had obliterated much of the fossil DNA. —Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2024

Surgeries are typically necessary when parts of the digestive system are diseased or damaged and need to be bypassed or removed. —Claire Sibonney, TIME, 4 June 2024

Moderna has more than 40 products in development including a vaccine for the digestive system bug, norovirus. —Bruce Gil, Quartz, 31 May 2024

The human microbiome has already been known to play a significant role in health and can affect the immune system, digestive system and even mental health. —Devika Rao, theweek, 29 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

digestive system

noun

: the bodily system concerned with the intake, breakdown, and absorption of food and the discharge of wastes and that includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, anus, and glands (as the salivary glands)

Medical Definition

digestive system

noun

: the bodily system concerned with the ingestion, digestion, and absorption of food and the discharge of residual wastes and consisting of the digestive tract and accessory glands (such as the salivary glands and the pancreas) that secrete digestive enzymes

called also alimentary system