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

For a time, Lisa Marie, who died at age 54 in January 2023 due to complications of a bowel obstruction, lived in Clearwater to be near the organization. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025

Lisa Marie died of a small bowel obstruction in 2023 at 54. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025

Both can help promote bowel regularity, gut health, and satiety. —Jamie Ducharme, Health, 24 Sep. 2025

Key Takeaways Pears are high in fiber and water, which support digestion, help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and aid in regular bowel function. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 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