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

While many types of E. coli are harmless and even beneficial to the digestive tract, some strains produce a toxin called colibactin, which is capable of mutating human DNA. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 1 May 2025

This allows the magnesium to be absorbed through your skin, skipping your digestive tract. —Patricia Mikula, Health, 28 Apr. 2025

Most of the time, that familiar feeling of fullness is simply a reaction to food making its way through your digestive tract, not evidence of a food intolerance or other health condition. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 28 Apr. 2025

Made with ingredients renowned in Ayurvedic medicine to treat gastrointestinal issues and 17 digestive enzymes, including alpha galactosidase which helps break down carbohydrates found in beans and cruciferous vegetables, a twice daily dose can feel like a reset button for your digestive tract. —Brianna Peters, Vogue, 21 Apr. 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