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

Abdominal pain/cramping Blood in or on the stool Chronic constipation and/or diarrhea Feeling full without eating much Feeling like there is more stool in the rectum after a bowel movement (tenesmus) Not wanting to eat Weakness or fatigue Weight loss What Are the Causes and Risk Factors? —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 9 July 2025

What’s the best way to eat your prunes to relieve constipation? —Caroline Tien, SELF, 24 June 2025

Gastrointestinal Effects By far, the most common side effects patients will have will be gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. —Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

In a study, people with IBS (a condition of abdominal pain with constipation and/or diarrhea) ate 75 grams (g) of sauerkraut daily.10 Participants in one group ate sauerkraut with active bacteria, while the other participants ate pasteurized sauerkraut without active bacteria. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 25 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th 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