colic

1 of 3

noun

col·​ic ˈkä-lik 

1

: an attack of acute abdominal pain localized in a hollow organ and often caused by spasm, obstruction, or twisting

2

: a condition marked by recurrent episodes of prolonged and uncontrollable crying and irritability in an otherwise healthy infant that is of unknown cause and usually subsides after three to four months of age

colic

2 of 3

adjective (1)

: of or relating to colic : colicky

colic crying

colic

3 of 3

adjective (2)

co·​lic ˈkō-lik  ˈkä- 

: of or relating to the colon

colic lymph nodes

Examples of colic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Since the late nineteenth century, raw white-lead was known to pose a substantial health risk to those exposed to it, prompting symptoms such as swelling of the brain, epileptic convulsions, paralysis, severe colic, and death. — Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026

Various parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda to treat conditions including headaches, colic, dropsy, rheumatism, nervous agitation, constipation, dyspepsia, and infections of the eye and throat. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Companies often suggest that common infant adaptations such as fussiness, colic or short nighttime sleep duration are signs of breastfeeding issues that formula can fix. — Janelle Chavez, CNN, 7 Feb. 2023

The cause was colic, according to the city health department, a common and frequently fatal equine ailment. — Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Medieval Latin colica (passio) intestinal (suffering), from Late Latin colicus of the colon, colicky, from Greek kōlikos, from kōlon, alteration of kolon colon

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1615, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing colic

• painter's colic

Rhymes for colic

• frolic
• moloch
• pollack
• alcoholic
• anabolic
• apostolic
• catabolic
• cytosolic
• diabolic
• diastolic
• ethanolic
• hyperbolic

Kids Definition

colic

noun

col·​ic

ˈkäl-ik

1

: sharp sudden pain in the abdomen

2

: a condition marked by periods of prolonged and uncontrollable crying and irritability in an otherwise healthy infant

colicky

-i-kē

adjective

Medical Definition

colic

1 of 3 noun

col·​ic ˈkäl-ik 

1

: an attack of acute abdominal pain localized in a hollow organ or part (as the small intestine, ureter, or bile duct) and often caused by spasm, obstruction, or twisting

2

: a condition marked by recurrent episodes of prolonged and uncontrollable crying and irritability in an otherwise healthy infant that is of unknown cause and usually subsides after three to four months of age

colic

2 of 3 adjective

: of or relating to colic : colicky

colic crying

colic

3 of 3 adjective

co·​lic ˈkō-lik  ˈkäl-ik 

: of or relating to the colon

colic lymph nodes