ileus

noun

il·​e·​us ˈi-lē-əs 

: obstruction of the bowel

especially : functional obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract and especially the small intestine that is marked by the absence of peristalsis, is usually accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes nausea and vomiting, and typically occurs following abdominal surgery

Examples of ileus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The condition, called ileus, occurs when there are problems pushing food through the intestine and can cause build-up and blockage there. —Kathleen Daly, Verywell Health, 30 June 2025

There are also more serious possible side effects like ileus. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

This is called meconium ileus, and in the worst cases, the intestines can rupture. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024

This just happened in October—the FDA added a gastrointestinal side effect, ileus, to Ozempic’s label. —Julia Landwehr, Health, 19 Jan. 2024

Another risk is developing an ileus, George added, when the intestines are slow to restart after anesthesia or surgery. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2024

If left untreated, ileus can cause parts of the intestine to die, leading to major problems or death for patients. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin īleus, īleos, borrowed from Greek eileós, also attested in sense "den of an animal, especially a snake," probably derivative of eiléō, eileîn "wind, turn round, roll up" — more at welter entry 1

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ileus

• bilious
• punctilious
• supercilious

Medical Definition

ileus

noun

il·​e·​us ˈil-ē-əs 

: obstruction of the bowel

specifically : functional obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract and especially the small intestine that is marked by the absence of peristalsis, is usually accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes nausea and vomiting, and typically occurs following abdominal surgery

called also paralytic ileus

compare volvulus