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bowel movement
noun
plural bowel movements
: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus
He had a two-day history of right lower abdominal pain … without bowel movements.—William W. Scott, Jr. et al.
also
: fecal matter expelled at one passage : stool sense 3a
Cats get infected from contact with other cats' bowel movements or by predation. —Donald Caslow
Examples of bowel movement in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Constipation means having fewer than three bowel movements per week.
—Karen Pallarito, Health, 12 May 2024
That might mean a change in bowel movements, pelvic pressure or discomfort, bloating or rectal bleeding, said Dr. Richard Barakat, physician in chief and executive director of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute, which operates 21 hospitals and 10 cancer centers in New York.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024
Soluble fiber: Forms a gel in water, which promotes well-hydrated and consolidated bowel movements.
—Suzanne Finkel, Verywell Health, 25 Mar. 2024
There are specific devices—one specifically known as a Squatty Potty—designed to accommodate squatting during bowel movements.
—Dua Aldasouqi, Health, 13 Mar. 2024
Neglect to feed your microbiome and the balance of microbes could tip into disarray, resulting in an imbalanced gut and corresponding bloating, stomach pain, and problems with bowel movements.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2024
In lots of cases, diarrhea—though wildly unpleasant—is limited to a loose bowel movement that resolves within a day or so.
—Christine Byrne, Mph, SELF, 4 Mar. 2024
Anyone who discovers black poop after a bowel movement should seek immediate medical attention.
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Mar. 2024
Fiber can relieve constipation and keep bowel movements regular, but likely won’t improve other common side effects such as diarrhea or nausea.
—Kristen Fischer, Health, 15 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bowel movement.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1870, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near bowel movement
Cite this Entry
“Bowel movement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowel%20movement. Accessed 14 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
bowel movement
noun
: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus
also
: fecal matter expelled at one passage : stool
Medical Definition
bowel movement
noun
: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus
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