stomach

noun

stom·ach | \ˈstə-mək,

-mik\

Definition of stomach

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : a saclike expansion of the digestive tract of a vertebrate that is located between the esophagus and duodenum and typically consists of a simple often curved sac with an outer serous covering, a strong muscular wall that contracts rhythmically, and an inner mucous membrane lining that contains gastric glands

Note: In humans, the stomach is located in the upper abdomen, below the esophagus and above the small intestine. It functions mainly to partially digest food by grinding and mixing it with gastric secretions (such as hydrochloric acid and pepsin). Mucus is also secreted to protect the stomach lining from damage by the acidic environment. Once ingested food has been partially digested by the stomach, it is discharged through the pylorus into the duodenum in the form of the semifluid chyme for further digestion.

(2) : one of the compartments making up the stomach of a ruminant animal (such as a cow or sheep) … the rumen, the largest of the four stomachs in an older animal, is undeveloped at birth and is considerably smaller than the abomasum or true stomach.— Norman Barron

b : a cavity in an invertebrate animal that is analogous to a stomach When a leaf containing the bacteria is ingested by the larva of certain insects, the new gene produces a protein that attacks the stomach lining of the insect and causes death. — The New York Times

c : the part of the body that contains the stomach : belly, abdomen He was punched in the stomach.

2a : desire for food caused by hunger : appetite After the hke, she had a good stomach for lunch.

b : inclination, desire had no stomach for an argument also : courage, guts

3 obsolete

a : spirit, valor

b : pride

c : spleen, resentment

stomach

verb

stomached; stomaching; stomachs

Definition of stomach (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 archaic : to take offense at

2 : to bear without overt reaction or resentment : put up with couldn't stomach office politics

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about stomach

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Examples of stomach in a Sentence

Noun

She has problems with her stomach. I've had enough to eat. My stomach is full. He was lying on his stomach.

Verb

I could barely stomach the smell. I can't stomach raw onions.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Photos tend to rely on the living to turn stomachs, but this picture manages to pull it off insensate. — Josie Duffy Rice, The Atlantic, "The Gospel According to Pusha T," 12 July 2018 Ahead of the announcement Monday night, for which Judge Kavanaugh was considered a front-runner, Mr. Ochs said his stomach was in knots — as if Georgetown Prep were playing a rival on the football field. — Sarah Mervosh, New York Times, "Kavanaugh and Gorsuch Both Went to the Same Elite Prep School," 10 July 2018 A week before Christmas my grandma was rushed to the hospital with severe stomach pains. — Abigail Van Buren, Houston Chronicle, "Couple planning a family disagree about adoption," 17 June 2018 The mother fell ill with bloody diarrhea, chills, headache, vomiting and admonial pain; her son had diarrhea and stomach pain, according to the suit filed late Monday in federal court in Missouri. — Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, "Tainted melons trigger 3 salmonella lawsuits in Midwest," 12 June 2018 Hepatitis A is an acute viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, appetite loss, nausea, stomach pain and jaundice, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). — Jamie Ducharme, Time, "Tennessee Is Just the Latest State to Report a Hepatitis A Outbreak. Here's What to Know," 30 May 2018 Symptoms of Ebola typically include weakness, fever, aches, diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain, which are common enough to be thought of as flu or malaria at first. — Susan Scutti, CNN, "Ebola 101: Answers to your questions about causes, symptoms, transmission and treatments," 25 May 2018 And please don’t think your stomach of steel is above a recall. — Sarah Klein, Health.com, "Here Are the Symptoms of Salmonella—and Everything Else You Need to Know About the Recall of Millions of Eggs," 15 May 2018 Water that contains toxic blue-green algae can cause illness, including stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as allergic reactions, the website says. — Lauren Smith, The Seattle Times, "Algae bloom in Thurston County is toxic, tests show," 28 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Chestnut’s next challenge comes less than 48 hours after stomaching his last Donette. — Grace Dickinson, Philly.com, "257 doughnuts devoured by Joey Chestnut, world's No. 1 ranked competitive eater, in Center City," 1 June 2018 Unfortunately, her prodigious effort has resulted in little more than a repugnant showcase for her acting talents that few viewers will be able to stomach for the duration of its running time. — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Eat Me': Film Review," 5 July 2018 Others can't stomach war movies, can't be around crowds or fireworks. — Maxine Bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Thurston 20 years later: Survivors call it 'our shooting,' now one among so many," 20 May 2018 Clearly someone, somewhere decided that $5 was a hike that people could stomach. — Jennifer Van Grove, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Price hikes for cord-cutters. What gives?," 7 July 2018 This is a lesson that June can’t stomach Eden’s fate cannot befall her daughter. — refinery29.com, "The Handmaid's Tale Recap Season 2, Episode 13: The Martha Express," 11 July 2018 That’s been hard to stomach for a guy who didn’t have three multiple earned-run outings all last season and had only three the entire season before. — Peter Schmuck, baltimoresun.com, "Schmuck: Amid Machado trade speculation, other Orioles are waiting and wondering, too," 10 July 2018 Even though Ziggler and Rollins’ match ended in a disqualification, which is usually tough to stomach after a match that clocked in at over 27 minutes, the work between the two men was on another level. — Justin Barrasso, SI.com, "The Week in Wrestling: Who Is The Best World Champion Right Now?," 27 June 2018 Let's see if Mason's Angela Perkins can stomach the challenge. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? (April 18) Did Mason's Angela Perkins advance?," 18 Apr. 2018

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

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More Definitions for stomach

stomach

noun

English Language Learners Definition of stomach

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the organ in your body where food goes and begins to be digested after you swallow it

: the part of your body that contains the stomach

: the desire, courage, etc., that is needed to do or accept something difficult or unpleasant

stomach

verb

English Language Learners Definition of stomach (Entry 2 of 2)

: to accept or experience (something unpleasant) without becoming sick, upset, etc.

: to eat (something) without getting a sick or unpleasant feeling in your stomach

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

stomach

noun

stom·ach | \ˈstə-mək

Kids Definition of stomach

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the pouch into which food passes from the esophagus for mixing and digestion before passing to the small intestine

2 : the part of the body that contains the stomach : abdomen The ball hit him in the stomach.

3 : desire entry 2 sense 1, liking She had no stomach for trouble.

stomach

verb

stomached; stomaching

Kids Definition of stomach (Entry 2 of 2)

: to bear patiently : put up with I couldn't stomach their rude behavior.

stomach

noun

stom·ach | \ˈstəm-ək, -ik

Medical Definition of stomach

1a : a saclike expansion of the digestive tract of a vertebrate communicating anteriorly with the esophagus and posteriorly with the duodenum and being typically a simple often curved sac with an outer serous coat, a strong complex muscular wall that contracts rhythmically, and a mucous lining membrane that contains gastric glands

b : one of the compartments of a ruminant stomach the abomasum is the fourth stomach of a ruminant

2 : a cavity in an invertebrate animal that is analogous to a stomach

3 : the part of the body that contains the stomach : belly, abdomen