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 the nineteenth century, the physician Robert Koch showed that pulmonary consumption, intestinal disease, and swollen lymph nodes could all result from the same bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

And with intestinal diseases and cancers on the rise, any methods to detect issues early could have potentially life-saving results. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026

This often occurs alongside diarrhea and is related to how magnesium affects fluid balance and intestinal movement. — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2026

The intestinal villi provide a large surface area while allowing nutrients to move across relatively short distances. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 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