Illustration of intestine
- A large intestine
- B small intestine
in·tes·tine
in-ˈte-stən 
: the tubular part of the digestive tract that extends from the stomach to the anus compare large intestine, small intestine
Did you know?
We bet you thought intestine was a noun referring to a part of the digestive system! It is, of course, but naming that internal body part isn't the word's only function. Both the noun and the adjective intestine have been a part of English since the 15th century, and both trace to the Latin adjective intestinus, meaning "internal," and ultimately to intus, meaning "within." Though the adjective intestine turns up much less frequently than does its anatomical cousin, it does see occasional use, especially as a synonym for civil and domestic (in contrast to foreign) applied to wars and disturbances.
Examples of intestine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2024
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, which are often used to treat Crohn's disease, tend to reduce calcium absorption in the intestines and increase your risk of osteoporosis.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2024
Villi are found in the innermost layer of your intestine, known as the mucosa.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Nov. 2024
One reason that happens is that exercise decreases blood flow to your gut, causing short-term damage to your intestines.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for intestine 
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.
Noun
In meat, contamination can come from the bacteria that are in the intestines.
—Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2024
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, which are often used to treat Crohn's disease, tend to reduce calcium absorption in the intestines and increase your risk of osteoporosis.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2024
Villi are found in the innermost layer of your intestine, known as the mucosa.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Nov. 2024
One reason that happens is that exercise decreases blood flow to your gut, causing short-term damage to your intestines.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for intestine
Dictionary Entries Near intestine
Cite this Entry
“Intestine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intestine. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
intestine
noun
in·tes·tine
in-ˈtes-tən
: the tubular portion of the digestive tract that lies posterior to the stomach from which it is separated by the pyloric sphincter and consists of a slender but long anterior part made up of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum which function in digestion and assimilation of nutrients and a broader shorter posterior part made up of the cecum, colon, and rectum which function in resorption of water from the by-products of digestion and formation of the feces
—often used in plural
the movement of digested food through your intestines—Mayo Clinic Health Letter
see large intestine, small intestine
Mayo Clinic Health LetterLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share