bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce bowel (audio)
1
biology : intestine, gut
also : one of the divisions of the intestines
usually used in plural except in medical use
the large bowel
move your bowels
2
archaic : the seat of pity, tenderness, or courage
usually used in plural
3
bowels plural : the interior parts
especially : the deep or remote parts
bowels of the earth
bowelless adjective

Examples of bowel in a Sentence

a disease of the bowel They dug deep into the bowels of the earth. The engine room is down in the bowels of the ship.
Recent Examples on the Web And a study from the fall of 2023 also linked GLP-1 drugs to severe GI side effects, including pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and gastroparesis (stomach paralysis). Kristen Fischer, Health, 15 Mar. 2024 That’s because soluble fiber draws more water into your bowels, which slows your digestion down a bit. Christine Byrne, Mph, SELF, 4 Mar. 2024 Despite good data, Ironwood’s shares plummet Ironwood Pharmaceuticals’ short bowel syndrome drug performed well in a Phase 3 trial, but the company’s shares still tanked 30%, FierceBiotech writes. Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 1 Mar. 2024 Sufficient doses of magnesium are almost certain to relieve bowel issues. Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 An autopsy later determined her cause of death was due to be complications of a small bowel obstruction. Shania Russell, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2024 This can start with nonspecific symptoms like headache, light sensitivity, and insomnia and develop into neck stiffness and pain, tingling or burning of the skin, double vision, bowel or bladder difficulties, and seizures. Eric Bangeman, Ars Technica, 25 Dec. 2023 Their heads are twizzling, their eyes bulging, their teeth ground to the gums, their bowels distended. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 23 Dec. 2023 People living with irritable bowel syndrome experience abdominal pain, bloating and abnormal bowel habits. Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bowel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French buel, boel, from Medieval Latin botellus, from Latin, diminutive of botulus sausage

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bowel was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bowel

Cite this Entry

“Bowel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowel. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bowel

noun
bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce bowel (audio)
1
a
: intestine entry 2, gut
usually used in plural
b
: a division of the intestine
2
plural : the interior parts
the bowels of the earth
3
archaic : supply of mercy or courage
usually used in plural

Medical Definition

bowel

noun
bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce bowel (audio)
: intestine, gut
also : one of the divisions of the intestines
usually used in plural except in medical use
move your bowels
surgery of the involved bowel

More from Merriam-Webster on bowel

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