rectal

adjective

rec·​tal ˈrek-tᵊl How to pronounce rectal (audio)
: relating to, affecting, or being near the rectum
rectal walls
rectal cancer
rectally adverb

Examples of rectal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some symptoms include a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding and cramps. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024 Signs and symptoms include a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, blood in stool, abdominal pain, weakness, fatigue and sudden weight loss, the ACS said. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 May 2024 And so the statistics show that a person who was born in 1990 compared to a person of the same age who was born in 1949 now has quadrupled the risk of developing rectal cancer and over double the risk of developing colon cancer. Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024 It may be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer depending on where the cancer originates. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for rectal 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rectal.' 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

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rectal was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near rectal

Cite this Entry

“Rectal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rectal. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.

Medical Definition

rectal

adjective
rec·​tal ˈrek-tᵊl How to pronounce rectal (audio)
: relating to, affecting, or being near the rectum
rectal bleeding
rectally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on rectal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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