bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l 

1

biology : intestine, gut

also : one of the divisions of the intestines

—usually used in plural except in medical use

the large bowel

move your bowels

2

archaic : the seat of pity, tenderness, or courage

—usually used in plural

3

bowels plural : the interior parts

especially : the deep or remote parts

bowels of the earth

bowelless

ˈbau̇(-ə)l-ləs 

adjective

Examples of bowel in a Sentence

a disease of the bowel

They dug deep into the bowels of the earth.

The engine room is down in the bowels of the ship.

Recent Examples on the Web

To relieve constipation, consider changes like taking iron on an empty stomach, adding more fiber to your diet, drinking water, exercising, and bowel training. —Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 31 Oct. 2025

Scans revealed the magnets had clustered into four chains in the lower-right side of his abdomen, pulling together different sections of his bowel with their magnetic force, the report said, noting some imagery was distorted by the magnets. —Hanna Park, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025

After being diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal bowel cancer in 2020, Abigail earned a master's degree in film studies from the University of East London. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025

Symptoms include abdominal bloating or swelling, quickly feeling full when eating, weight loss, frequent need to urinate, changes in bowel habits and discomfort in the pelvic area. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French buel, boel, from Medieval Latin botellus, from Latin, diminutive of botulus sausage

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bowel

• bowel movement
• inflammatory bowel disease
• irritable bowel syndrome

Rhymes for bowel

• dowel
• howel
• howell
• towel
• vowel
• avowal
• disavowal

Kids Definition

bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l 

1

a

: intestine entry 2, gut

—usually used in plural

b

: a division of the intestine

2

plural : the interior parts

the bowels of the earth

3

archaic : supply of mercy or courage

—usually used in plural

Medical Definition

bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l 

: intestine, gut

also : one of the divisions of the intestines

—usually used in plural except in medical use

move your bowels

surgery of the involved bowel