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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Coconut water may keep your digestive system flowing because it's mostly made of water and can move along dietary fiber, which is important for regularity.46 Coconut water may help the stomach to empty faster, keeping things moving through your digestive tract and preventing constipation. Lauren O'Connor, Health, 8 July 2025 Gut health refers to the optimal functioning of the digestive system, specifically the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the trillions of microbes that live within it, known as the gut microbiome. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 24 June 2025 This finding prompted their primary care physician to order tests for cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive system and other organs. Jordan Greene, People.com, 24 June 2025 These parasite eggs can mature inside of human digestive systems and they were found in the pig dental calculus. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for digestive system

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of digestive system was in 1790

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Cite this Entry

“Digestive system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digestive%20system. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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