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

Loading up on spicy food cooked with hot peppers can sometimes kick your bowel movements into overdrive, and not in a good way. —Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026

More regular bowel movements, less bloating and better stool consistency over time. —Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026

Some people cough or play music aloud to cover any sounds of their bowel movements or find a more private bathroom in their office. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026

During a May appointment, the mother reported finding bits of dog food in the child’s bowel movement. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bowel movement

• improvement

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