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

The name stems from the way its seeds are carried by birds and dropped after passing through their digestive tract. —Scott Neuman, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025

All this movement can result in an upset digestive tract. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025

Ginger contains compounds called shogaol and gingerols that can relax the digestive tract and help the stomach empty faster, helping relieve digestive discomfort. —Carley Millhone, Health, 15 Dec. 2025

The risk of cognitive decline and stroke also rises, as does the chance of developing cancers of the upper digestive tract. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 14 Dec. 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