constipation

noun

con·​sti·​pa·​tion ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈpā-shən 

1

: abnormally delayed or infrequent passage of usually dry hardened feces

2

: stultification

Examples of constipation in a Sentence

A side effect of the drug is constipation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The most common side effects were nausea, constipation and diarrhea. —Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 1 Apr. 2026

Lilly said the side effects of Foundayo were similar to its injectable drugs, with gastrointestinal issues — such as nausea, constipation and diarrhea — among those most commonly reported. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026

The medication can cause side effects such as nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, stomach pain, headache, fatigue, burping, reflux disease, gas and hair loss, the FDA said. —Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026

Other concerning symptoms can include lower abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, persistent diarrhea or constipation, and changes in stool color or consistency, Kamal said. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for constipation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

constipation

noun

con·​sti·​pa·​tion ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈpā-shən 

: abnormally difficult or infrequent bowel movements

Medical Definition

constipation

noun

con·​sti·​pa·​tion ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈpā-shən 

: abnormally delayed or infrequent passage of dry hardened feces