gastrointestinal

adjective

gas·​tro·​in·​tes·​ti·​nal ˌga-strō-in-ˈte-stə-nᵊl 

-ˈtes(t)-nəl

: of, relating to, affecting, or including both stomach and intestine

Examples of gastrointestinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The bright red blood was the literal red flag of colorectal cancer, compared to the darker, or black and tarry blood that often indicates upper gastrointestinal bleeding. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026

One tricky problem Harvey Kellogg tried to solve at the sanitarium was treating the many patients there who suffered from severe gastrointestinal issues. —Heather Bushman, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

The board also accused Shaknovsky of removing part of a patient's intestine during another procedure in July 2023, causing a gastrointestinal perforation, where a hole develops in the intestine. —Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 14 Apr. 2026

This virus, commonly known as parvo, causes severe gastrointestinal illness and bone marrow failure. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gastrointestinal

• gastrointestinal tract

Rhymes for gastrointestinal

• intestinal

Kids Definition

gastrointestinal

adjective

gas·​tro·​in·​tes·​ti·​nal ˌgas-trō-in-ˈtes-tən-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or including both stomach and intestine

Medical Definition

gastrointestinal

adjective

gas·​tro·​in·​tes·​ti·​nal ˌgas-trō-in-ˈtes-tən-ᵊl, -ˈtes(t)-nəl 

: of, relating to, or affecting both stomach and intestine

gastrointestinal distress