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

Soluble fiber absorbs water, helping slow down food movement through the digestive tract, allowing for better nutrient absorption. —Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2026

Without that foundation, probiotics alone do little to maintain the diversity of the microbiome, the community of microorganisms in the digestive tract. —Sarah Garone, Health, 29 Jan. 2026

Good bacteria maintain gut health and stop bad bacteria from damaging your digestive tract. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2026

The capsules, which can remain intact inside the digestive tract for weeks, are able to release their medications on a schedule. —New Atlas, 28 Jan. 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