laxative

adjective lax·a·tive \ ˈlak-sə-tiv \

|Updated on: 3 Jun 2018

Definition of laxative

: having a tendency to loosen or relax; specifically : producing bowel movements and relieving constipation

Recent Examples of laxative from the Web

Note: Excessive consumption can cause laxative effect; toxic to dogs Calories: 5 calories per teaspoon.

— molly kimball, NOLA.com, "Guide to plant-based sweeteners, such as Stevia, Truvia," 8 May 2018
Chewing and spitting is regarded as a behavior among clinicians—comparable to restricting calories or laxative use.

— charlotte lieberman, Marie Claire, "My Eating Disorder Made Me Feel Like a Feminist Fraud," 28 Feb. 2018
Some people appear to be more sensitive to the laxative effect of magnesium than others.

— joe, The Seattle Times, "There’s a cure for toe fungus in your pantry: apple cider vinegar," 14 Jan. 2018
Some doctors prescribe a large volume of liquid laxative prep, while others recommend over-the-counter pill or powder laxatives.

— jenn morson, SELF, "7 Things You've Always Wondered About a Colonoscopy Procedure," 23 Aug. 2017
The fitness star quotes a description of Flat Tummy Tea’s main ingredients, including senna, a plant that can have laxative effects (and appears in the brand's Cleanse Tea).

— sarah klein, Health.com, "Here's Why This Fitness Star Is Calling Out a Flat-Belly 'Detox' Tea," 2 Aug. 2017
The fitness star quotes a description of Flat Tummy Tea’s main ingredients, including senna, a plant that can have laxative effects (and appears in the brand’s Cleanse Tea).

— sarah klein, PEOPLE.com, "Fitness Star Massy Arias Calls Out ‘Scam Artists’ Flat Tummy Tea for Reposting Her Image," 2 Aug. 2017
In one frame, Haynes focuses on the branding of a packet of the laxative Ex-Lax, as iconic as a Campbell’s soup can.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "To the Bone: The Trouble With Anorexia on Film," 14 July 2017
There’s another reason, though, one that Sal hinted at with his laxative comment.

— scott herhold, The Mercury News, "Herhold: VTA’s strange new motto," 11 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'laxative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of laxative

Middle English laxatif, from Medieval Latin laxativus, from Latin laxatus, past participle of laxare to loosen, from laxus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

laxative

noun

Definition of laxative

: a usually mild laxative drug

See laxative defined for English-language learners

Examples of laxative in a Sentence

The doctor prescribed a laxative.

Recent Examples of laxative from the Web

Many people think of laxatives as a cure for constipation.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "A caregiver's guide to constipation," 24 Apr. 2018
Ware says laxative abuse was common, and Davis says teammates would often sweat themselves out in their cars and starve themselves to make weight.

— kalyn kahler, SI.com, "NFL Cheerleading Can Still Be Saved," 10 May 2018
The Chinese cultivated rhubarb as early as 2700 B.C., using it for a variety of medicinal purposes, including as a laxative and stomach pain reliever.

— terri milligan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Are you a ’barbarian? Let rhubarb’s tart-sweet flavor shine in more than pie," 13 Apr. 2018
Treat constipation aggressively with laxatives such as polyethylene glycol.

— wendy glaberson, m.d., miamiherald, "What can I do about my child's bedwetting? | Miami Herald," 10 Apr. 2018
Lane first spoke to doctors about nausea and stomach pain in January, People reported, and was given laxatives to treat what was thought to be an intestinal blockage.

— sarah klein, Health.com, "This Woman Died From Hantavirus—a Rare Infection Initially Mistaken for the Flu," 27 Apr. 2018
The dogs did not like the devices, and to avoid using them, some retained bodily waste, even after consuming laxatives.

— alice george, Smithsonian, "The Sad, Sad Story of Laika, the Space Dog, and Her One-Way Trip into Orbit," 12 Apr. 2018
Prescribed massive amounts of a powerful laxative for babies on whom he was set to perform colon surgery.

— john fauber, jsonline.com, "Is your doctor banned from practicing in other states? State licensing system keeps patients in the dark," 28 Feb. 2018
For relief, try an over-the-counter (OTC) laxative such as Miralax or Colace, which slowly draws moisture into the bowel.

— janis graham, Redbook, "Queasy? Bloated? Here's How to Cure Your Stomachache, Fast," 28 Nov. 2017

First Known Use of laxative

14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

LAXATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

laxative

noun

Definition of laxative for English Language Learners

medical : a medicine or food that makes it easier for solid waste to pass through the body

LAXATIVE Defined for Kids

laxative

adjective lax·a·tive \ ˈlak-sə-tiv \

Definition of laxative for Students

: tending to relieve constipation

laxative

noun

Definition of laxative for Students

: a medicine that relieves constipation

Medical Dictionary

laxative

adjective lax·a·tive \ ˈlak-sət-iv \

medical Definition of laxative

1 : having a tendency to loosen or relax; specifically : relieving constipation

2 : lax 2

—

laxatively

adverb

laxative

noun

medical Definition of laxative

: a usually mild laxative drug

Learn More about laxative

Spanish Central: Translation of laxative Nglish: Translation of laxative for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of laxative for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about laxative

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laxative

Definition of laxative

Recent Examples of laxative from the Web

Origin and Etymology of laxative

laxative

Definition of laxative

Examples of laxative in a Sentence

Recent Examples of laxative from the Web

First Known Use of laxative

LAXATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

laxative

Definition of laxative for English Language Learners

LAXATIVE Defined for Kids

laxative

Definition of laxative for Students

laxative

Definition of laxative for Students

Medical Dictionary

laxative

medical Definition of laxative

laxatively

laxative

medical Definition of laxative

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