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

These parasites rely on the digestive tracts of humans - and only humans - to reproduce. — Pien Huang, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026

The gut lining is a thin layer of cells that lines your digestive tract. — Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 29 July 2026

The reduced cabin pressure on airplanes can cause gas in the digestive tract to expand, leading to bloating. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026

Insoluble fiber helps move stool through the digestive tract, while soluble fiber helps nourish beneficial gut bacteria. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 11 July 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