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

The soluble fiber in oats draws water into the stool, adding bulk to make bowel movements softer and easier to pass.1 Evolving research indicates the importance of the gut microbiome in preventing chronic diseases like diabetes and colon cancer. —Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 25 June 2025

When doctors gave him medication to stimulate a bowel movement, Granda headed for the bathroom. —Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025

Signs and symptoms to look for would be severe abdominal pain, inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement, vomiting and bloating. —Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

These can include general complaints like bloating, changes in bowel movements, and loss of appetite. —Alice Park, Time, 9 June 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