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

During this procedure, the gastrointestinal tract is changed so food bypasses most of the stomach and upper portion of the small intestine. —Kathleen Daly, Verywell Health, 30 June 2025

People who have had sections of the small intestine removed, or those who have had bariatric weight loss surgery may have similar issues, too. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 29 June 2025

The first version of STAR sutured a piece of small intestine pulled up through an incision. —IEEE Spectrum, 21 May 2025

Soluble fiber can lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by binding with cholesterol in the small intestine so that it isn’t absorbed in the bloodstream.12 May protect against colon cancer. —Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 12 Aug. 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