digestive

1 of 2

noun

di·​ges·​tive dī-ˈje-stiv How to pronounce digestive (audio)
də-
: an aid to digestion especially of food

digestive

2 of 2

adjective

1
: relating to or functioning in digestion
the digestive system
digestive disorders
digestive organs
2
: having the power to cause or promote digestion
digestive enzymes
digestively adverb

Examples of digestive in a Sentence

Adjective the digestive system of the body
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This means that the treats contain only essential components, minimizing potential allergens that could trigger digestive upset in sensitive dogs. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2023 The natural recipe is loaded with glucosamine, chondroitin, biotin, amino acids, vitamin A, and probiotics for optimal digestive and gut health. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2022 The ideal approach to do this is to feed your pet a digestive (also known as gastrointestinal) food, which will help support the stomach and gut function. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 Oct. 2022 My mother knew the spice’s sulfur compounds as an antiseptic, an antispasmodic, a digestive, a diuretic, an expectorant, a sedative, and a laxative. Madhur Jaffrey, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2022 On the other hand, Tequila is drunk as an aperitive, alone as is wine, for example, during dinner or in cocktails and as an after-dinner digestive, so the pairing with cheese is natural for us. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 1 May 2022 As a substitute, I was offered coarse digestives and tea in a thin plastic cup that was too hot to hold. The Economist, 28 Jan. 2020 Many traditional digestives can be cloying and overpoweringly bitter, rendering them largely inaccessible to more sensitive palates. John Debary, Bloomberg.com, 22 Dec. 2017
Adjective
Weight gain may be linked to changes in lymph flow that affect lipids (fats) and digestive absorption. Daniel More, Verywell Health, 9 Mar. 2024 The metal can wreck the immune, digestive and nervous systems, and induce tremors, memory loss, headaches, partial blindness and more. Bridget Alex, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024 Instead of appearing ill, a rabbit will simply stop eating and all the normal digestive bacteria in its stomach will die out, Roberts said. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 The exchange of gifts, emotions, and digestive salivas turns out to be a bit much for Dr. Sleech, who quickly runs from the celebration and the couple’s developing relationship. Shania Russell, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2024 However, introducing a large amount of a new probiotic into your system might temporarily induce digestive complications. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2024 Babies born extremely early are often immediately hospitalized to help the infant breathe and address any heart, digestive and brain issues or an inability to fight off infections. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 6 Feb. 2024 Symptoms can last for months or years, and may include fatigue, fever, brain fog, difficulty breathing, cough, chest pain, heart palpitations, digestive issues, joint and muscle pain, headaches, dizziness, sleep disruption, depression, and anxiety. Michelle Travis, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Also ideal for those who may have a deficiency in digestive enzymes, leading to poor digestion. Shushy Rita Setrakian Ms, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'digestive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of digestive was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near digestive

Cite this Entry

“Digestive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digestive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

digestive

adjective
di·​ges·​tive
dī-ˈjes-tiv,
də-
1
: of or relating to digestion
digestive processes
2
: having the power to cause or help digestion
digestive enzymes

Medical Definition

digestive

1 of 2 noun
di·​ges·​tive -ˈjes-tiv How to pronounce digestive (audio)
1
: something that aids digestion especially of food compare digestant
2
: a substance which promotes suppuration

digestive

2 of 2 adjective
1
: relating to or functioning in digestion
digestive processes
2
: having the power to cause or promote digestion
digestive enzymes
digestively adverb
digestiveness noun

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