rectum

noun

rec·​tum ˈrek-təm How to pronounce rectum (audio)
plural rectums or recta ˈrek-tə How to pronounce rectum (audio)
: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus

Examples of rectum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The first is reservoir incontinence and involves a disease of the rectum. Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 Infection can occur in the genitals, the rectum, and the throat. Helen Branswell, STAT, 1 Nov. 2023 In February 2021, Shaw-James, a 70-year-old retired nurse, was diagnosed with stage 3 squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum. Catherine Garcia, The Week, 24 July 2023 Your pelvic floor is comprised of the muscles that support the organs in the pelvis (bladder, rectum, and uterus), according to UpToDate. Tiffany Ayuda, Health, 12 July 2023 Heading this effort is the gut’s very own network of nerve cells, known as the enteric nervous system, which weaves through the intestinal walls from the esophagus down to the rectum. Yasemin Saplakoglu, WIRED, 14 Jan. 2024 Enlarge / Who doesn't thrill to the sight of a microscopic cross-section of a beetle's rectum? Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2023 But the red flour beetle's rectum is a model of ultra-efficiency in that regard. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2023 One particular gene was expressed sixty times more in the rectum than any other. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rectum.' 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 Medieval Latin, from rectum intestinum, literally, straight intestine

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near rectum

Cite this Entry

“Rectum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rectum. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rectum

noun
rec·​tum ˈrek-təm How to pronounce rectum (audio)
plural rectums or recta -tə How to pronounce rectum (audio)
: the end of the large intestine that links the colon to the anus
rectal
-tᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

rectum

noun
rec·​tum ˈrek-təm How to pronounce rectum (audio)
plural rectums or recta -tə How to pronounce rectum (audio)
: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus

More from Merriam-Webster on rectum

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