rectum

noun

rec·​tum ˈrek-təm How to pronounce rectum (audio)
plural rectums or recta ˈrek-tə How to pronounce rectum (audio)
: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus

Examples of rectum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Those forms of cancer include female breast, uterus, colon and rectum, pancreas, kidney, and liver cancers. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025 Colorectal cancer, per the American Cancer Society, starts in the colon or the rectum, which makes up the large intestine in the digestive system. Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025 The following cancers decreased among women between 2017 and 2021: brain and other nervous system, cervix, colon and rectum, urinary bladder, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, ovary, thyroid, and lung and bronchus. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025 Green has been vocal about his health challenges, recounting his battle with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the colon and rectum, and vertigo in 2023. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rectum

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from rectum intestinum, literally, straight intestine

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rectum was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rectum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rectum. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

rectum

noun
rec·​tum ˈrek-təm How to pronounce rectum (audio)
plural rectums or recta -tə How to pronounce rectum (audio)
: the end of the large intestine that links the colon to the anus
rectal
-tᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

rectum

noun
rec·​tum ˈrek-təm How to pronounce rectum (audio)
plural rectums or recta -tə How to pronounce rectum (audio)
: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus

More from Merriam-Webster on rectum

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