Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

peristaltic

adjective peri·stal·tic \ ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-tik , -ˈstäl- , -ˈstal- \

Definition of peristaltic

1 : of, relating to, resulting from, or being peristalsis
2 : having an action suggestive of peristalsis

Recent Examples of peristaltic from the Web

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

Origin and Etymology of peristaltic

Greek peristaltikos, from peristellein to wrap around, from peri- + stellein to place

Medical Dictionary

peristaltic

adjective peri·stal·tic \ -tik \

medical Definition of peristaltic

: of, relating to, resulting from, or being peristalsis
  • peristaltic contractions

Learn More about peristaltic

  1. Nglish: Translation of peristaltic for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up peristaltic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

acolyte

play

one who attends or assists a leader

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. exculpatory 'tending or serving to exculpate'

  2. ideologue 'an often blindly partisan advocate or adherent of a particular ideology'

  3. socialism 'a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government'

  4. uphold 'to let stand'

  5. due process 'a course of formal proceedings (as judicial proceedings)'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

peristaltic

Test Your Vocabulary

Test Your Emoji Exceptionalism

  • test-your-emoji-exceptionalism-written-with-a-lot-of-emoji
  • What is this emoji intended to represent: 🤳
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games