rectum

rec·tum | \ ˈrek-təm

How to pronounce rectum (audio)

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plural rectums or recta\ ˈrek-tə

How to pronounce recta (audio)

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Definition of rectum

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

Examples of rectum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web From 2012 to 2016, incidence rates among that age group rose by 2.2% annually and included tumors found in both the colon and the rectum, the study found. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN, "Half of new colon and rectal cancer diagnoses are now in people age 66 and younger, report finds," 5 Mar. 2020 Prolonged withholding can cause the muscles of the rectum to become weaker, stool leakage and potential urination issues (such as needing to pee more frequently or urgently, or accidents throughout the day). — Dina Dimaggio, New York Times, "How to Start Potty Training," 15 Apr. 2020 How colorectal cancer grows Nearly all colorectal cancers start as growths called polyps, which are small clumps of cells that form on the lining of the colon or rectum. — Allison Hatfield, Dallas News, "Texas’ second-leading cause of death is largely preventable," 4 Mar. 2020 Human temperature can be measured in the mouth, armpit, ear or rectum. — Jo Craven Mcginty, WSJ, "98.6 Degrees Fahrenheit Isn’t the Average Anymore," 17 Jan. 2020 The rectum is the lower portion of our digestive tract. — Yana Tallon-hicks, Teen Vogue, "Common Anal Douche Myths and the Truth About Them," 25 Jan. 2020 Since the rectum can act like a vacuum and suck objects inside, a flared bottom, pull cord, or ring prevents a butt plug from getting lost inside you, Ortmann says. — Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, "A Beginner's Guide to Butt Plugs and How to Use Them for Anal Play," 15 Oct. 2019 The officer reportedly found a clear plastic baggie hanging out of Brown’s rectum, and subsequently secured a search warrant that granted a medical facility to remove it from his body. — Sarah Horner, Twin Cities, "State Supreme Court rules against forced body cavity search," 15 Aug. 2019 Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy procedures are more invasive screening methods that allow a physician to look inside of the rectum and colon for signs of cancer. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN, "Medical groups differ on when to start colon and rectal cancer screening. Here's why," 4 Nov. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

20 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Rectum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rectum. Accessed 6 Jun. 2020.

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More Definitions for rectum

rectum

noun

English Language Learners Definition of rectum

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

See the full definition for rectum in the English Language Learners Dictionary

rectum

rec·tum | \ ˈrek-təm

\

plural rectums also recta\ -tə \

Kids Definition of rectum

: the last part of the large intestine

rectum

rec·tum | \ ˈrek-təm

\

plural rectums or recta\ -tə

\

Medical Definition of rectum

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

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