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

Fiber combined with adequate hydration helps soften stools and support regular bowel movements. —Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 9 Jan. 2026

The device clips onto the side of a toilet and uses computer vision and microphones to analyze bowel movements and urination in real time. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026

Its low fiber content also offers little support for regular bowel movements. —Sarah Garone, Health, 22 Dec. 2025

The viruses live in the feces of an infected person, and can be transmitted if the infected person doesn't thoroughly wash their hands after a bowel movement. —Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 19 Dec. 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