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

Improves Digestion The fiber content of mangoes makes this fruit helpful for digestive health, allowing for regular bowel movements. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2026

Soluble fiber also helps keep bowel movements regular (and supports healthy cholesterol levels), according to Schwiesow. —Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 20 Feb. 2026

Other symptoms include fatigue as a result of anemia, a change in bowel movements, stomach pain or abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding or blood in stool, weakness and unexplained weight loss, Friedman, who did not treat Van Der Beek, told Fox News Digital. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026

When intake is low, the colon absorbs more water from stool, making bowel movements harder and less frequent. —Katharine Gammon, Time, 10 Feb. 2026

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