intestinal

adjective

in·​tes·​ti·​nal in-ˈte-stə-nᵊl How to pronounce intestinal (audio)
-ˈtes(t)-nəl,
-ˈte-sᵊn-əl,
 British often  ˌin-(ˌ)te-ˈstī-nᵊl
1
: affecting, occurring, or living in the intestine
2
: of, relating to, or being the intestine
intestinally adverb

Examples of intestinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Salmonella is a bacterial infection that attacks the intestinal tract in humans and some animals. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2024 One in five infants with CF are born with an intestinal blockage caused by meconium—the normally sticky black stool of newborns—that has turned too thick and hard to pass. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 Their son was born eight days early with intestinal malrotation, a rare abnormality where an infant's intestines are entangled. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024 Here are some considerations: Veterinary Issues Be sure your kitten has been tested for feline leukemia (FeLV), feline AIDS (FIV) and intestinal parasites. Dr. Patty Khuly, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2024 Ghee supposedly acts as a scavenger, drawing out toxic waste matter (known as ama) and pushing it into the intestinal tract for elimination. Jane Alexander, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Feb. 2024 If the worm gets out of the intestinal tract and into the liver, eyes, or brain, the infection can be life-threatening. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024 These probiotics may support intestinal lining integrity as well as the ability of food to move through the gut. Shushy Rita Setrakian Ms, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2024 Kinda had a liver infection and intestinal problems. Heba Farouk Mahfouz, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near intestinal

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

intestinal

adjective
in·​tes·​ti·​nal in-ˈtes-tən-ᵊl How to pronounce intestinal (audio)
1
: of or relating to the intestine
2
: affecting or occurring in the intestine
intestinally
adverb

Medical Definition

intestinal

adjective
in·​tes·​ti·​nal
in-ˈtes-tən-ᵊl, -ˈtes(t)-nəl, -ˈtes-ᵊn-əl, British often ˌin-(ˌ)tes-ˈtīn-ᵊl
1
a
: affecting or occurring in the intestine
intestinal digestion
intestinal catarrh
b
: living in the intestine
the intestinal flora
an intestinal worm
2
: of, relating to, or being the intestine
the intestinal canal
intestinally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on intestinal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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