small intestine

noun

: the narrow part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the digestion of food into small molecules which are absorbed into the body

Examples of small intestine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These fibers don’t fully break down in your stomach or small intestine. —Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2025

CaBot diagnosed an obstruction in the small intestines, possibly owing to volvulus or a hernia. —Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

This type affects the lower part of your digestive system, such as the small intestines, so symptoms show up later compared to the emetic type. —Brandi Jones, Health, 18 Sep. 2025

Among them was a Whipple procedure, which is an operation that treats tumors and other conditions in the pancreas, small intestine and bile ducts, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for small intestine

• clandestine
• progestin

Kids Definition

small intestine

noun

: the long narrow part of the intestine between the stomach and the colon in which food is mostly digested, from which digested food is absorbed into the body, and which consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum

Medical Definition

small intestine

noun

: the part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the absorption of digested nutrients

called also small bowel