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

Supports Heart Health The fiber in corn decreases the absorption of fat and cholesterol in the digestive tract. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 30 Oct. 2025

This is the shrimp's digestive tract. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025

Their strong magnetic pull can cause parts of the digestive tract to stick together, leading to severe complications such as pressure necrosis, perforation or life-threatening infections, according to the report. —Hanna Park, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025

Some seeds, which are what acorns are, need animals to pass them through their digestive tract. —Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 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