digestive system

noun

: the bodily system concerned with the ingestion, digestion, and absorption of food and the discharge of residual wastes and consisting of the digestive tract and accessory glands (such as the salivary glands and the pancreas) that secrete digestive enzymes

Examples of digestive system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This can lead to large amounts of gas entering the digestive system, causing possible bloating. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 28 Aug. 2025

Wet wipes, however, have recently threatened this recovery, with the plastic-laden debris breaking down into microplastics that clog digestive systems of fish and disrupt feeding patterns, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature. —Dakota Bennett, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2025

Berberine is generally well-tolerated but can cause adverse side effects in the digestive system, especially when starting. —Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 25 Aug. 2025

Leiomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that can develop in smooth muscle tissue areas like the digestive system, blood vessels, and uterus, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for digestive system

• cryptosystem
• ecosystem
• intersystem
• multisystem
• photosystem
• subsystem

Kids Definition

digestive system

noun

: the bodily system concerned with the intake, breakdown, and absorption of food and the discharge of wastes and that includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, anus, and glands (as the salivary glands)

Medical Definition

digestive system

noun

: the bodily system concerned with the ingestion, digestion, and absorption of food and the discharge of residual wastes and consisting of the digestive tract and accessory glands (such as the salivary glands and the pancreas) that secrete digestive enzymes

called also alimentary system