digestive tract

noun

: the tubular passage typically extending from the mouth to the anus or cloaca that functions in digestion and absorption of food and elimination of residual waste and that in most mammals includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, and anus

called also alimentary canal, alimentary tract

Examples of digestive tract in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness caused when spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum enter an infant’s digestive tract and produce toxins which attack nerves, leading to muscular and respiratory paralysis. —Victoria Forster, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

The polyphenols and tannins in coffee bind to iron in the digestive tract and block it from being absorbed. —Allison Palmer updated June 13, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026

Insoluble fiber helps move food through your digestive tract, while soluble fiber promotes the growth of healthy gut bacteria. —Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 12 June 2026

About 70% of the immune system lives in the digestive tract, and a healthy gut has been linked to sharper focus, balanced hormones, lower inflammation and better energy. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for digestive tract

• abstract
• attacked
• attract
• contact
• contract
• detract
• distract
• enact
• exact
• extract
• hijacked
• impact

Medical Definition

digestive tract

noun

: the tubular passage typically extending from mouth to anus or cloaca that functions in digestion and absorption of food and elimination of residual waste and that in most mammals includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, and anus

called also alimentary canal, alimentary tract