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

For example, there was a sharp increase in several genetic variants that protect against infectious illnesses but also raise the risk of inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease. —Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025

Tests used in diagnosis include a small bowel culture or breath testing. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 16 May 2025

Along with stress-reducing habits, healthy gut habits involve a balanced diet, exercise, and bowel regulation.65 Dietary Habits Eating foods with a lot of fiber can help prevent both constipation and diarrhea, making stool easier to pass. —Sarah Hudgens, Health, 6 May 2025

Those wayward cells can even clamp onto your bowels and grow there. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 Apr. 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