stomach

1 of 2

noun

stom·ach ˈstə-mək

-mik

Synonyms of stomach next

a(1)

: a saclike expansion of the digestive tract of a vertebrate that is located between the esophagus and duodenum and typically consists of a simple often curved sac with an outer serous covering, a strong muscular wall that contracts rhythmically, and an inner mucous membrane lining that contains gastric glands

Note: In humans, the stomach is located in the upper abdomen, below the esophagus and above the small intestine. It functions mainly to partially digest food by grinding and mixing it with gastric secretions (such as hydrochloric acid and pepsin). Mucus is also secreted to protect the stomach lining from damage by the acidic environment. Once ingested food has been partially digested by the stomach, it is discharged through the pylorus into the duodenum in the form of the semifluid chyme for further digestion.

(2)

: one of the compartments making up the stomach of a ruminant animal (such as a cow or sheep)

… the rumen, the largest of the four stomachs in an older animal, is undeveloped at birth and is considerably smaller than the abomasum or true stomach.—

Norman Barron

: the part of the body that contains the stomach : belly, abdomen

He was punched in the stomach.

: a cavity in an invertebrate animal that is analogous to a stomach

When a leaf containing the bacteria is ingested by the larva of certain insects, the new gene produces a protein that attacks the stomach lining of the insect and causes death.—

The New York Times

: desire for food caused by hunger : appetite

After the hike, she had a good stomach for lunch.

: inclination, desire

had no stomach for an argument

also : courage, guts

obsolete

: spirit, valor

: arrogance

: spleen, resentment

stomach

2 of 2

verb

stomached; stomaching; stomachs

transitive verb

: to bear without overt reaction or resentment : put up with

couldn't stomach office politics

archaic : to take offense at

Examples of stomach in a Sentence

Noun She has problems with her stomach. I've had enough to eat. My stomach is full. He was lying on his stomach. Verb I could barely stomach the smell. I can't stomach raw onions.

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.

Noun

Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. —

Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024 Seeing Meryl Streep’s broken, twisted body or Goldie Hawn with a gunshot wound straight through her open stomach are unforgettable movie moments in a sharp satire about aging, Hollywood, and vanity. —

Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2024

Verb

Perhaps cricket can stomach that axing, but potentially not being part of the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, will sting. —

Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 What happens next is hard to stomach, even though the horror occurs offstage. —

Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stomach

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stomak, from Anglo-French estomac, from Latin stomachus gullet, esophagus, stomach, from Greek stomachos, from stoma mouth; akin to Middle Breton staffn mouth, Avestan staman-

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of stomach was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stomach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stomach. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

stomach

1 of 2 noun

stom·ach ˈstəm-ək

-ik

: a pouch of the vertebrate digestive system into which food passes from the esophagus for mixing and digestion before passing to the duodenum of the small intestine

: a cavity with a similar function in an invertebrate animal

: the part of the body that contains the stomach : belly, abdomen

: desire for food caused by hunger : appetite

: desire entry 2 sense 1, inclination

had no stomach for an argument

stomach

2 of 2 verb

: tolerate sense 1

could not stomach the smell

Medical Definition

stomach

noun

stom·ach ˈstəm-ək, -ik

: a saclike expansion of the digestive tract of a vertebrate communicating anteriorly with the esophagus and posteriorly with the duodenum and being typically a simple often curved sac with an outer serous coat, a strong complex muscular wall that contracts rhythmically, and a mucous lining membrane that contains gastric glands

: one of the compartments of a ruminant stomach

the abomasum is the fourth stomach of a ruminant

: a cavity in an invertebrate animal that is analogous to a stomach

: the part of the body that contains the stomach : belly, abdomen

Last Updated: 28 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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stomach

noun

verb

Synonyms

Examples of stomach in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near stomach

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition