1
: of, relating to, situated near, or involving the anus
an anal fin
2
psychoanalytic theory
a
: of, relating to, characterized by, or being the stage of psychosexual development which follows the oral stage (see oral entry 1 sense 3) and during which the child is concerned especially with his or her feces
b
: of, relating to, characterized by, or being personality traits (such as parsimony, meticulousness, and ill humor) considered typical of fixation at the anal stage of development : anal-retentive
an anal disposition
—often used in nontechnical contexts to describe someone as extremely or excessively neat, careful, or preciseI have a mania for neatness in some matters that is almost anal.—
Joseph Heller
Joseph HellerExamples of anal in a Sentence
Adjective
He can be pretty anal about keeping his office neat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Some types, especially urethritis, can arise due to gonorrhea and chlamydia, which spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 13 Sep. 2025
Infrequent bowel movements can lead to hemorrhoids, anal fissures or tears, or rectal bleeding.1 In some cases, constipation can even cause fecal impaction, which means the stool is too hard to pass without medication or a procedure.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025
Sitz Baths Soak your anal area by sitting in a shallow bath of plain warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, two or three times a day.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anal
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Adjective
Aging can also contribute, as the supporting tissues of the anal canal naturally weaken over time.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Some types, especially urethritis, can arise due to gonorrhea and chlamydia, which spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 13 Sep. 2025
Infrequent bowel movements can lead to hemorrhoids, anal fissures or tears, or rectal bleeding.1 In some cases, constipation can even cause fecal impaction, which means the stool is too hard to pass without medication or a procedure.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025
Sitz Baths Soak your anal area by sitting in a shallow bath of plain warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, two or three times a day.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anal
Cite this Entry
“Anal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anal. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
anal
1 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or situated near the anus
the anal opening
anal fissures
2
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory that follows the oral stage and during which a child derives libidinal gratification from the expulsion and retention of the feces and conflict arises from parental demands regarding toilet training
During the anal stage, from about 18 months to 3 years, the sphincter muscles become sensitive and controllable and bowel and bladder retention and elimination become a source of gratification.—David G. Myers, Psychology
David G. Myers, Psychology
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits (as orderliness, frugality, and obstinacy) considered typical of fixation at the anal stage of development : anal-retentive
—often used in nontechnical contexts to describe someone as extremely or excessively neat, careful, or precise
compare genital sense 3, oral sense 3, phallic sense 2
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