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

Provides You With Fiber Oatmeal is a good source of beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber that mixes with water to form a gel-like substance in the digestive system. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 4 Dec. 2025

Your baby’s digestive system is still developing, and reflux is common and often normal after feeding. —Sarah Scott, Parents, 4 Dec. 2025

Changes in routine, dietary habits, sleep schedules, and other factors can disrupt your digestive system's functions and lead to constipation while traveling. —Barbara Bolen, Verywell Health, 25 Nov. 2025

The holidays are full of rich, indulgent foods, sweet treats and second helpings — which can sometimes lead to discomfort and a noisy digestive system. —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 25 Nov. 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