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

Supports Healthy Digestion The fiber in oatmeal helps keep your bowel movements regular and supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that may help protect against obesity. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 4 Dec. 2025

In one account, her baby was stressed and had an in utero bowel movement, which her family has said was caused by the delay in care. —CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025

The fiber in carrots can also help improve digestion and promote regular bowel movements. —Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 28 Nov. 2025

An Air France lounge in Paris has rest-room suites with padded leather walls and blown-glass chandeliers, like a jewel box for bowel movements. —Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 26 Nov. 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