bowel movement

noun

plural bowel movements

: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus

He had a two-day history of right lower abdominal pain … without bowel movements.

—William W. Scott, Jr. et al.

also : fecal matter expelled at one passage : stool sense 3a

Cats get infected from contact with other cats' bowel movements or by predation.

—Donald Caslow

Examples of bowel movement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Grapefruit may aid digestion and improve bowel movements when consumed before meals or in the morning. —Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2025

The 2 grams of fiber in a single medium zucchini offer additional benefits by supporting healthy digestion, improving satiety, maintaining regular bowel movements and feeding beneficial gut bacteria. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025

But starting your day with an apple may give you a gentle nudge to get bowel movements going. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 14 Oct. 2025

In addition to lots of fiber, kiwis contain crystals called raphides that help make bowel movements smoother. —Erica Sweeney, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bowel movement

• improvement

Kids Definition

bowel movement

noun

: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus

also : fecal matter expelled at one passage : stool

Medical Definition

bowel movement

noun

: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus