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

Both cancers come from similar types of cells lining these parts of the digestive tract, particularly glandular cells, which can develop into cancer. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 3 July 2025

This super botanical blend acts almost as a lubricant to soothe irritation in the esophagus and support mucous membranes of the digestive tract. —Brianna Peters, Vogue, 30 June 2025

Injectables are particularly dangerous if contaminated because the medication is injected directly into the body, unlike a pill that goes through the filtering of the digestive tract. —Debbie Cenziper, CNN Money, 20 June 2025

Soluble fiber absorbs water, helping slow down food movement through the digestive tract, allowing for better nutrient absorption. —Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 17 June 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