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

During this physiological transition, your digestive system essentially shuts down to allow your body to prioritize escape over food breakdown, according to Azzaro. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 30 Mar. 2026

The facility produces a probiotic that supports your digestive system. —Marie Saavedra, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

Soluble fiber can also prevent the digestive system from absorbing some fat and cholesterol. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026

Eat during daylight hours, then give your digestive system a break during nighttime hours. —Andee Tagle, NPR, 19 Mar. 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