digestive tract

noun

: the tubular passage typically extending from the mouth to the anus or cloaca that functions in digestion and absorption of food and elimination of residual waste and that in most mammals includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, and anus

called also alimentary canal, alimentary tract

Examples of digestive tract in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Smaller seed particles move through the digestive tract more easily and are less likely to irritate. —Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2025

The trillions of bacteria that live in our digestive tract don’t just help break down food. —Lauryn Higgins, Time, 4 Nov. 2025

Supports Heart Health The fiber in corn decreases the absorption of fat and cholesterol in the digestive tract. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 30 Oct. 2025

This is the shrimp's digestive tract. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for digestive tract

• abstract
• attacked
• attract
• contact
• contract
• detract
• distract
• enact
• exact
• extract
• hijacked
• impact

Medical Definition

digestive tract

noun

: the tubular passage typically extending from mouth to anus or cloaca that functions in digestion and absorption of food and elimination of residual waste and that in most mammals includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, and anus

called also alimentary canal, alimentary tract