impaction

noun

im·​pac·​tion im-ˈpak-shən 

: the act of becoming or the state of being impacted

especially : lodgment of something (such as feces) in a body passage or cavity

Examples of impaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Chia seeds swell when exposed to liquids and take on a thick, sticky consistency, which can become lodged in the esophagus and cause an impaction (blockage). —Anthea Levi, Health, 5 May 2025

Paradoxical diarrhea usually occurs with severe constipation or a fecal impaction, which would prevent you from pooping regularly.11 Will paradoxical diarrhea eventually go away on its own? —Cristina Mutchler, Health, 24 Apr. 2025

After the Procedure Most people feel almost immediate relief from constipation and impaction symptoms after a manual disimpaction. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 16 Feb. 2025

People with food impaction may gag, vomit, or salivate excessively. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for impaction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• inaction
• infraction
• olfaction

Kids Definition

impaction

noun

im·​pac·​tion im-ˈpak-shən 

: the act of becoming or the state of being impacted

Medical Definition

impaction

noun

im·​pac·​tion im-ˈpak-shən 

: the act of becoming or the state of being impacted

specifically : lodgment or an instance of lodgment of something (as a tooth or feces) in a body passage or cavity