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

According to Pearson's lawsuit, filed in 2019, Sanderson developed a bowel obstruction and sepsis while at the facility but was not sent to the hospital for more than a week. —Jordan Rau, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025

Rodents with dramatic deaths and active bowels dot this week’s list of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach restaurants that failed state inspection. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 Dec. 2025

To help close that gap, Charles highlighted a new national Screening Checker tool designed to demystify the process and guide people through eligibility for breast, bowel and cervical cancer screenings. —Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

This, along with their high fiber content, can help promote bowel regularity. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 9 Dec. 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