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

The lymphatic system is one of the body’s key transport and immune networks, responsible for moving excess fluid away from tissues, absorbing fats from the digestive system, and transporting infection-fighting immune cells around the body. — Chloe Burcham, Vogue, 30 July 2026

Alcoholic Beverages Alcohol can also affect the digestive system by loosening the muscle between your stomach and esophagus, leading to frequent heartburn and acid reflux, Manaker says. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 29 July 2026

His third stomach chamber may have also been displaced, which would have prevented food from moving through his digestive system normally, zoo officials said. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 26 July 2026

For the same reason, people with sensitive digestive systems or conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome may want to be especially mindful of portion sizes. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 July 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