intestine

1 of 2

noun

in·​tes·​tine in-ˈte-stən 

: the tubular part of the digestive tract that extends from the stomach to the anus compare large intestine, small intestine

Illustration of intestine

• A large intestine
• B small intestine

intestine

2 of 2

adjective

: internal

specifically : of or relating to the internal affairs of a state or country

intestine war

Did you know?

We bet you thought intestine was a noun referring to a part of the digestive system! It is, of course, but naming that internal body part isn't the word's only function. Both the noun and the adjective intestine have been a part of English since the 15th century, and both trace to the Latin adjective intestinus, meaning "internal," and ultimately to intus, meaning "within." Though the adjective intestine turns up much less frequently than does its anatomical cousin, it does see occasional use, especially as a synonym for civil and domestic (in contrast to foreign) applied to wars and disturbances.

Examples of intestine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Amylin is a hormone that is co-secreted with insulin through the pancreas and helps regulate blood glucose levels, appetite and gastric emptying, which is the process of food moving from the stomach to the intestines. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025

But research now suggests that the trillions of microbes in our intestines may play a surprisingly active role in shaping our emotions and mental health. —Lauryn Higgins, Time, 4 Nov. 2025

The chronic diarrhea could cause part of their intestines to fall out. —Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025

Why Calcium and Iron Don't Mix Well Taking iron supplements with calcium can decrease iron absorption, partly due to the way calcium and iron interact in the intestines. —Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Middle French intestin, from Latin intestinum, from neuter of intestinus

Adjective

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French intestin, from Latin intestinus, from intus within — more at ent-

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing intestine

• large intestine
• small intestine

Rhymes for intestine

• clandestine
• progestin

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Kids Definition

intestine

noun

in·​tes·​tine

in-ˈtes-tən

: the part of the alimentary canal that is a long tube composed of the small intestine and the large intestine, that extends from the stomach to the anus, that helps to digest food and absorb nutrients and water, and that carries waste matter to be discharged

Medical Definition

intestine

noun

in·​tes·​tine in-ˈtes-tən 

: the tubular portion of the digestive tract that lies posterior to the stomach from which it is separated by the pyloric sphincter and consists of a slender but long anterior part made up of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum which function in digestion and assimilation of nutrients and a broader shorter posterior part made up of the cecum, colon, and rectum which function in resorption of water from the by-products of digestion and formation of the feces

—often used in plural

the movement of digested food through your intestines

—Mayo Clinic Health Letter

see large intestine, small intestine