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 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 The bulk of her clients suffer from IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, a group of painful intestinal symptoms. Betsy Andrews, Saveur, 14 Feb. 2024 Poor absorption of iron supplements can be attributed to several factors, including the type of iron, dietary inhibitors like calcium, the timing and dosage of intake, and overall intestinal health. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 Though the late Queen of Rock and Roll suffered a myriad of health problems, including intestinal cancer in 2016 and a stroke in 2013, Cher told PEOPLE in this week's issue that Turner was her usual fun-loving self during their final visit at her home in Switzerland. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2023 Your internal sphincter acts as an intestinal gas barometer. Julia Ries, SELF, 12 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 19 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!