enema

noun

en·​e·​ma ˈe-nə-mə 

plural enemas also enemata ˌe-nə-ˈmä-tə  ˈe-nə-mə-tə 

1

: the injection of liquid into the rectum and colon by way of the anus

2

: material for injection as an enema

Examples of enema in a Sentence

The nurse gave the patient an enema.

Recent Examples on the Web

Water enemas: For this treatment, your healthcare provider gently inserts water into your colon to soften and release hard or stuck stool. —Cristina Mutchler, Health, 8 Apr. 2025

Treatment is either an enema or surgery to remove the intussusception. —Sayaka Blickenderfer, Phd, Health, 13 Mar. 2025

She was then told to take an enema and visit an urgent care, according to the complaint. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025

Ainscough created an unconventional way of treating cancer that involved a strict organic vegetarian diet, dietary supplements and daily coffee enemas. —Julia Teti, WWD, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek, from enienai to inject, from en- + hienai to send — more at jet

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for enema

• adenoma

Kids Definition

enema

noun

en·​e·​ma ˈen-ə-mə 

: the injection of liquid into the rectum by way of the anus usually to cause the intestines to empty

also : the material injected

Medical Definition

enema

noun

en·​e·​ma ˈen-ə-mə 

plural enemas also enemata ˌen-ə-ˈmät-ə  ˈen-ə-mə-tə 

1

: the injection of liquid into the rectum and colon by way of the anus (as for cleansing or examination)

2

: the liquid injected by an enema