regurgitation

noun

re·​gur·​gi·​ta·​tion (ˌ)rē-ˌgər-jə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce regurgitation (audio)
: an act of regurgitating: such as
a
: the casting up of incompletely digested food (as by some birds in feeding their young)
b
: the backward flow of blood through a defective heart valve

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Heartburn and acid regurgitation are the two most common symptoms of GERD, as well as chest pain following a meal. Brittany Edelmann, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2023 Share [Findings] Vampire bats who are strangers will groom one another before sharing blood via regurgitation. Lauren Oyler, Harpers Magazine, 26 Apr. 2023 That’s called regurgitation. Heather Lanier, Longreads, 10 Jan. 2023 In a regurgitation of far-right talking points about immigration and the pandemic, nationalist leaders such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán now argue that the economic implications of new climate policies stand to hit the middle class and ordinary working people the hardest. Yasmeen Serhan, The Atlantic, 12 Nov. 2021 The Classic: Fundoplication Using traditional surgery or laparoscopy, surgeons fold the top part of the stomach (the fundus) around the lower esophageal sphincter and secure it there to tamp down on regurgitation. Sean O'neal, Men's Health, 27 Feb. 2023 If the valve doesn’t open all the way, it’s called aortic stenosis, but if there is leakage backward through the valve, from the aorta back into the left ventricle, it is called aortic regurgitation, or aortic insufficiency. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 16 Nov. 2022 Mary’s problem, mitral regurgitation, can erupt if one of the anchoring tethers of the valve leaflets suddenly pulls off a weakened ventricle, as can happen in a heart attack. Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 18 June 2022 The article is just a regurgitation of the River City Post article, written in a cleaner, more journalistic fashion. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 30 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'regurgitation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of regurgitation was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near regurgitation

Cite this Entry

“Regurgitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regurgitation. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

Medical Definition

regurgitation

noun
re·​gur·​gi·​ta·​tion (ˌ)rē-ˌgər-jə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce regurgitation (audio)
: an act of regurgitating
especially : the backward flow of blood through a defective heart valve see aortic regurgitation

More from Merriam-Webster on regurgitation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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