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

How phytic acid may support gut lining repair A preclinical mouse study from the Guha Lab at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, published in Nature Communications, suggests phytic acid helps keep the intestinal barrier intact. —Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026

She was induced into a coma in early May, after being hospitalized for emergency intestinal surgery. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 16 June 2026

The Welsh singer, 75, was placed into an induced coma in early May after undergoing emergency intestinal surgery in Faro, Portugal. —Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026

Infant botulism occurs when Clostridium botulinum spores enter and colonize the intestinal tract, causing botulinum neurotoxins to grow there, according to the CDC. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 June 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