rectum

noun

rec·​tum ˈrek-təm How to pronounce rectum (audio)
plural rectums or recta ˈrek-tə How to pronounce rectum (audio)
: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus

Examples of rectum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a separate case in February, five Israeli reservists were charged over the beating and stabbing of a detainee, accused in an indictment of breaking the man’s ribs, puncturing his lung and tearing his rectum. Daniele Hamamdjian, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2025 In her final months of college, Shelby was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis — an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum — launching another long and difficult fight to manage her symptoms. Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 9 Oct. 2025 After his arrest in 2010, Boston police officers discovered that Tooley had stashed 30 bags of cocaine base in his rectum. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025 Specifically, individuals may develop gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea; rash; chest pain; as well as bleeding from the eyes, mouth, nose and rectum. Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rectum

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from rectum intestinum, literally, straight intestine

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rectum was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rectum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rectum. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

rectum

noun
rec·​tum ˈrek-təm How to pronounce rectum (audio)
plural rectums or recta -tə How to pronounce rectum (audio)
: the end of the large intestine that links the colon to the anus
rectal
-tᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

rectum

noun
rec·​tum ˈrek-təm How to pronounce rectum (audio)
plural rectums or recta -tə How to pronounce rectum (audio)
: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus

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