intestinal

adjective

in·​tes·​ti·​nal in-ˈte-stə-nᵊl 

-ˈtes(t)-nəl, 

-ˈte-sᵊn-əl

British often ˌin-(ˌ)te-ˈstī-nᵊl

1

: affecting, occurring, or living in the intestine

2

: of, relating to, or being the intestine

intestinally adverb

Examples of intestinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2022 Eckersley’s chronic stomach issues turned out to be an intestinal tumor. —Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026

However, a growing number of patients – at least 5,000 as of March 16 – have filed suit in consolidated federal and state litigation, alleging the drugmakers failed to sufficiently warn of the risk of severe injuries, including blindness, neurological disorders and intestinal blockages. —Austin Fast, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026

What is there to say, after all, about a 95-minute foray into feces, intestinal gas, horse semen and a beer funnel inserted into a body cavity that’s quite obviously not someone’s mouth. —Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026

This highlights the importance of immunizing young infants who have not acquired natural immunity to intestinal pathogens. —Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing intestinal

• intestinal fortitude

Rhymes for intestinal

• gastrointestinal

Kids Definition

intestinal

adjective

in·​tes·​ti·​nal in-ˈtes-tən-ᵊl 

1

: of or relating to the intestine

2

: affecting or occurring in the intestine

intestinally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

intestinal

adjective

in·​tes·​ti·​nal

in-ˈtes-tən-ᵊl, -ˈtes(t)-nəl, -ˈtes-ᵊn-əl, British often ˌin-(ˌ)tes-ˈtīn-ᵊl

1

a

: affecting or occurring in the intestine

intestinal digestion

intestinal catarrh

b

: living in the intestine

the intestinal flora

an intestinal worm

2

: of, relating to, or being the intestine

the intestinal canal

intestinally

-ē 

adverb