rectum

noun rec·tum \ ˈrek-təm \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of rectum

plural rectums or recta play \ˈrek-tə\

: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus

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Recent Examples of rectum from the Web

Colorectal cancer, cancer of the colon and rectum, is also the second leading cancer killer in the country.

— fiza pirani, ajc, "Common toothpaste ingredient may promote gut inflammation, colon cancer," 5 June 2018
The change was informed by research from ACS scientists, who found last year that cancers of the colon and rectum are occurring at increasing rates among young and middle-aged adults.

— jamie ducharme, Time, "The American Cancer Society Just Changed Its Guidelines Around Colorectal Cancer Screenings," 30 May 2018
The procedure involves guiding a probe through the rhino’s rectum into an ovary, then drawing eggs out through a catheter.

— daniel fernandez, Smithsonian, "Can the Northern White Rhino Be Brought Back From the Brink of Extinction?," 22 May 2018
These included cancers of the prostate (which declined by an average of 7.6% per year), lung and bronchus (2.4%), larynx (2.3%), colon and rectum (1.9%), esophagus (1.6%), bladder (0.8%) and brain and nervous system (0.2%).

— karen kaplan, latimes.com, "The death rate from cancer is falling for American men, women and children of all backgrounds," 22 May 2018
Gonorrhea can infect the genitals, rectum and throat.

— sophie cousins, CNN, "Wherever you are in the world, time is running out for treating gonorrhea," 15 May 2018
According to the indictment, NOPD officers noticed a portion of a plastic bag protruding from Jenkins' rectum during an arrest on March 30, 2018.

— heather nolan, NOLA.com, "9 charged in racketeering indictment stemming from D-Block drug ring investigation," 15 May 2018
One of the most common things that doctors find is ice in or near the rectum.

— terry demio, USA TODAY, "She overdosed, so they packed her in ice. 'Your friends almost killed you'," 19 Mar. 2018
An enema is a medical procedure in which a liquid or gas is injected into the colon through the rectum, usually with the intent of stimulating a bowel movement.

— travis m. andrews, Washington Post, "Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle 'detox guide' promotes coffee enema. Experts say it's bogus.," 8 Jan. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of rectum

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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RECTUM Defined for English Language Learners

rectum

noun

Definition of rectum for English Language Learners

medical : the end of the tube in your body that helps digest food : the last part of the large intestine

RECTUM Defined for Kids

rectum

noun rec·tum \ ˈrek-təm \

Definition of rectum for Students

plural rectums also recta \-tə\

: the last part of the large intestine

Medical Dictionary

rectum

noun rec·tum \ ˈrek-təm \

medical Definition of rectum

plural rectums or recta play \-tə\

: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus

Illustration of rectum

Learn More about rectum

Spanish Central: Translation of rectum Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rectum

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rectum

Definition of rectum

Recent Examples of rectum from the Web

Origin and Etymology of rectum

RECTUM Defined for English Language Learners

rectum

Definition of rectum for English Language Learners

RECTUM Defined for Kids

rectum

Definition of rectum for Students

Medical Dictionary

rectum

medical Definition of rectum

Illustration of rectum

Learn More about rectum

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Definition of rectum

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Origin and Etymology of rectum

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rectum

Definition of rectum for English Language Learners

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rectum

Definition of rectum for Students

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rectum

medical Definition of rectum

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