rectal

adjective

rec·​tal ˈrek-tᵊl How to pronounce rectal (audio)
: relating to, affecting, or being near the rectum
rectal walls
rectal cancer
rectally adverb

Examples of rectal 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.
This new finding, presented at AACR and published in NEJM on Sunday, builds upon a previous study that used the same drug to treat 100 percent of rectal cancer patients in their trial—in other words, each and every patient's tumor vanished. Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 The immunotherapy protocol successfully treated 100% of rectal cancer patients involved in the trial. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025 However, the rectal route may be more common than scientists have realized. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025 Between 5-10 percent of rectal tumors and 2-10 percent of other solid tumor cancers in the sample (including esophageal, colon and prostate cancers) are believed to be related to the MMRd gene. Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for rectal

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rectal was in 1826

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Cite this Entry

“Rectal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rectal. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

rectal

adjective
rec·​tal ˈrek-tᵊl How to pronounce rectal (audio)
: relating to, affecting, or being near the rectum
rectal bleeding
rectally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on rectal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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