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

Banana adds fiber, which is great for better bowel health, plus potassium to help replenish electrolytes. —Ashia Aubourg, Outside, 3 Jan. 2026

In addition to promoting feelings of fullness, regulating bowels, and assisting in blood sugar control, fiber helps to lower cholesterol. —Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 31 Dec. 2025

Surgeons noted her injuries included three perforations of the small bowel and sepsis. —Jason Kane, NBC news, 31 Dec. 2025

More serious cases of TD, including ones that linger for a couple weeks or longer, may prompt your provider to run a stool test, and depending on the results, prescribe a course of antibiotics to get your bowels back on track. —Julia Ries Wexler, SELF, 26 Dec. 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