small intestine

noun

: the narrow part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the digestion of food into small molecules which are absorbed into the body

Examples of small intestine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These are carbohydrates found in some foods that are not well-absorbed in the small intestine. —Elizabeth Pratt, Health, 26 May 2024

When food reaches the stomach, the organ’s powerful muscles usually mash the food into smaller pieces and push the pieces through to the small intestine with little hassle. —Ed Cara/ Gizmodo, Quartz, 21 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

small intestine

noun

: the long narrow part of the intestine between the stomach and the colon in which food is mostly digested, from which digested food is absorbed into the body, and which consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum

Medical Definition

small intestine

noun

: the part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the absorption of digested nutrients

called also small bowel