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

The other segment of our patients are trying to conceive and are interested how the inflammation of their digestive tract relates to their fertility outcomes. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 May 2026

Most of the fiber in green peas is insoluble, which helps prevent constipation by keeping things moving through the digestive tract. —Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 26 May 2026

This is because very cold water causes a vasoconstriction of the digestive tract, which reduces blood flow and can slow absorption. —Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026

This is because, during fermentation, helpful microbes can develop, and when consumed, these bacteria may help support the complex ecosystem of microorganisms living in the digestive tract, known as the gut microbiome. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 May 2026

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