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

It's thought that people with IBS have a microbiome (the community of microorganisms that live in the digestive system) that is out of balance. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2026

Additionally, honey is high in sugar, and its acidity can cause problems in a bird’s digestive system. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026

These compounds block an enzyme in your body called CYP3A4, which helps break down medications in your digestive system. —Zia Sherrell, Health, 5 Jan. 2026

It is known that cannabis acts on the endo-cannabinoid system, which helps regulate the digestive system. —Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 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