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

These compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that help empty your stomach more quickly and maintain normal contractions that move food through the digestive tract (gastrointestinal motility). — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 15 July 2026

Insoluble fiber helps move stool through the digestive tract, while soluble fiber helps nourish beneficial gut bacteria. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026

Three of the reports stemmed from consumers swallowing the metal pieces and seeking medical treatment to remove them from their digestive tract or throat, the agency said. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Biologists also know that pike move food through their digestive tracts very rapidly. — Jack G. Mell, Outdoor Life, 2 July 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