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

For the man's case, doctors confirmed the diagnosis of Whipple's disease with the standard method of an intestinal biopsy to look for foamy-looking macrophages loaded with T. whipplei. —ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025

The rare cub, who was yet to be named, was born on Feb. 25 and died on Friday due to intestinal bleeding, according to a news release from the zoo. —Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

First, resistant starches like wheat, beans, or bananas to nourish the good intestinal bacteria. —Mélanie Nauche, Vogue, 29 May 2025

Salmonella is a bacterium that thrives in the intestinal tracts of certain animals, including chickens and cows—and humans. —Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 9 June 2025

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