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

No one knew how deep into his digestive system the gill net might have gone. —Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026

The fiber absorbs water and expands in your intestine, slowing the movement of food through the digestive system. —Julie Pollock, The Conversation, 1 May 2026

In addition to serving as a nutritious comfort meal, consuming turmeric in soup may soothe the digestive system. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 30 Apr. 2026

Here’s what could be happening in your digestive system during perimenopause, as well as what may help bring some symptom relief. —Cathy Nelson, Health, 29 Apr. 2026

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