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

Plus, the symptoms that do develop in the more advanced stages—bloating, early satiety, abdominal discomfort and pain, peeing more often and bowel movement changes—can also be seen across a number of other conditions. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Sep. 2025

The problem often develops from straining during bowel movements, with diet and weight playing a major role. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025

Home remedies include: Adequate Fiber Eat high-fiber foods that soften stool and make bowel movements easier. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Sep. 2025

In one study, participants with diarrhea-dominant IBS experienced fewer bowel movements after four weeks of treatment with cumin. —Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 26 Aug. 2025

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